Known for his works with social consciousness and North Andhra-centric themes in its dialect, writer Chintakindi Srinivasa Rao dealt with yet another sensitive issue in his Nandi-award winning play.
'Garbhagudi,' that brought him the 'First best playwriter (sic)' award for social drama in the 2017 Nandi awards of Andhra Pradesh State Film, Television and Theatre Development Corporation centres around the ethical and emotional dichotomy involved in surrogacy.
'My endeavour through the play is to focus on the motherly instincts of women who lend their wombs, mostly out of financial hardship, vis-a-vis the commercial aspects and the attitudes in society,' says Mr. Srinivasa Rao.
He says it also tries to bring into perspective the responsibility of people who become parents through surrogacy to such women, particularly when they become old.
The theme revolves around a beauty and career-conscious employee going in for surrogacy in the later stages of her life through a maid who is a distant relative. Conflict arises with her husband respecting the surrogate mother and her sacrifice.
How the surrogate mother tackles the conflict forms the crux with a sub-layer of environmental analogy.
The play won the laurels from among more than 100 entries staged at four centres in the State.
Directed by noted actor and theatre personality S.K. Misro, it was staged by Bahurupa Nataka Samakhya at Kakinada.
'Thus credit goes to the director and cast as well,' says the writer. The award comprising ₹ 20000 in cash, a copper Nandi and a commendation certificate will be presented at a function.
‘Clean medium’
Having watched plays right from his childhood, Mr. Srinivasa Rao believes theatre still retains its visual appeal and a clean medium for sensitive portrayals.
'Ekkadivallakkade,' a play in the children category penned by him won the Golden Nandi for best poduction in 2016 and it was an award for the entire team.
Winner of prestigious Chaso Puraskaram and Bharatamuni Sahitya Puraskaram, Mr. Srinivasa Rao has published 50 short stories, four novels and half a dozen plays.