HYDERABAD: Posing realities through sarcasm amidst the village environment, ‘Marella Gramam’, a realistic village comedy play, was recently staged by the city-based theatre group ‘Natarang’. The play predominantly features themes of corruption and the innocence of illiterate villagers, performed at Rangbhoomi Spaces in Serilingampalle. It offers a humorous journey filled with relatable and realistic moments that resonate deeply with the audience.
The story of ‘Marella Gramam’ is set in a village named Marella and revolves around its illiterate and innocent inhabitants. These villagers, driven by their simplicity and desperation, sell their votes for biryani, cash, and other enticing offers from the highly corrupt panchayat presidents, who are childhood friends. This act of vote selling reflects the stark realities of electoral corruption and the exploitation of naive villagers by those in power.
Each year, a festival takes place in the village where the locals, with their limited skills, perform plays. However, one year, a play goes terribly wrong, leading to public ridicule and leaving the villagers feeling sad and humiliated. This event marks a turning point in the narrative, showcasing the villagers’ struggle with self-esteem and their determination to seek justice.
Following this, a tragic incident occurs where a villager dies due to a snake bite. The villagers, seeking justice and improvement in their living conditions, decide to file a complaint against the presidents. However, they face a wall of indifference and receive no support from the authorities. This lack of support underscores the systemic neglect and corruption prevalent in rural governance.
Undeterred by this setback, the villagers devise a new plan: to stage a play that highlights the issues plaguing their village. This play within a play concept adds a meta-theatrical layer to the narrative. The corrupt presidents attempt to stop their efforts, fearing exposure. However, a visiting foreigner, moved by their plight and determination, steps in to help. The story then follows the villagers’ efforts to put on the play, with the foreigner’s assistance adding an element of cross-cultural solidarity and hope.
Written and directed by Kranthi Kumar, the founder of Natarang, the storytelling is infused with humour and sarcasm, compelling the audience to reflect on the many harsh realities surrounding them. With eleven years of experience in theatre, Kranthi Kumar has considered making it his lifelong career. His passion for introducing new actors to the stage led to the creation of Natarang.
Talking about the inspiration behind the story, Kranthi Kumar said, “Marella is my hometown where I was born and raised. Every year, a festival used to take place there, and villagers would contribute money to organise a theatre play. Their dedication inspired me to pursue this field. They showed unity in addressing even small village issues and pooled funds together. Freedom fighters would stage plays to spark revolutions among the people. Today, art still has the power to effect change. Taking this to heart, I developed the play ‘Marella Gramam’.”