Sri Rama Rajyam: An Exploration of Myth, Duty, and Human Values in Theatre

Sri Rama along with Sita returned to Ayodhya after killing Ravana and his followers, beginning with the Sri Rama Pattabhisekam. Sri Rama ruled the kingdom with peace and joy, receiving daily updates about his people through Bhadra. Bhadra eventually brought unfortunate news that a washerman was quarrelling with his wife, remarking that Rama did not act like the king who brought his wife back after she spent time with Ravana. Shocked by the news, Rama decided to leave Sita in the forest and ordered his brother Lakshmana to leave her in the deep forests.

Sita went to Valmiki Ashrama, where she gave birth to two children, Lava and Kusha, who grew up under the guidance of Valmiki. The children learned the Ramayana and sang Rama Katha. After a sacrificial horse reached Valmiki Ashram, Lava and Kusha held the horse, leading to a fight with Lakshmana and the twins. Rama eventually arrived, asked them to release the horse, and later took the children with him to Ayodhya. Sita then entered into the Earth Goddess Bhoodevi, concluding the Ramavatharam.

Director

Shri Rekandar Venugopal Rao, born on 24 February 1962 in Andhra Pradesh, is a senior actor, director, and organizer of dramas in the Surabhi group, a family tradition of theatre performing mythological plays. He began his acting career at age five as Bhakta Prahlada and has acted in about 30 mythological plays. He learned theatre music, ventured into direction, and received numerous awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for the year 2021 for his contribution to Indian theatre as a director, the Kala Ratna (Hamsa) in 2018, and the Burra Venkata Subba Rao Award.

Director’s Note

In his director's note, Shri Rekandar Venugopal Rao invites audiences to journey beyond the familiar narrative of the Ramayana into the heart of human values, relationships, duty, and redemption. He emphasizes the delicate balance between rājyadharma (leadership), sēvā (service), and ātmārpaṇa (self-surrender) as exemplified by Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Lava and Kusha.

Group

The Surabhi theatre tradition dates back to 1885 in the village of Surabhi. Sri Vinayaka Natya Mandali (Surabhi) was earlier established as Kamalananda Natya Mandali by Sri R. Koteshwar Rao in 1985. Surabhi functions as a family-based troupe where descendants inherit the drama as their asset, with artists performing roles starting from infancy.