One of the most well-known classic humorous novels in Telugu literature is set to be staged as a play at Kalabharati Auditorium in Visakhapatnam.
The stage adaptation of Mokkapati Narasimha Sastry’s ‘Barrister Parvatisam’ narrates the evolution of a seemingly innocent youth from West Godavari district crossing the seas to successfully study bar-at-law in England.
The humorous adventure captures the plight of Parvatisam, the protagonist, who is unaware of the hardships in travel and is also unfamiliar with English, who arrives in England after visiting many new places. However, the experiences and the education he obtains there transforms him altogether.
“The 600-page novel in three parts has been adapted for stage production in 90 minutes. Using several techniques, it narrates the transformation of Parvatisam from a simpleton to a barrister who joins the struggle for independence after his return,” said Tumu Siva Prasad, who is directing the play. He will also enact the role of Parvatisam.
Elaborating on the techniques used in depiction of Parvatisam’s travels to several countries and the different time period, Mr. Siva Prasad said he used both stage properties and visual illusion by projection.
“I designed conceptual projection designs to create mood, ambience and feel by using light, video and music,” Mr. Siva Prasad, who is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Dramatics in the University of Rajasthan, told The Hindu on the eve of staging the play. Though there are several characters, the main characters have been reduced to seven.
Mr. Siva Prasad of Tuni was a student of Sri Prakash Institutions from Class IX to M.Sc. He later went on to study theatre arts in M.A. in Central University, Hyderabad, where he won a gold medal, and later went on to study at the National School of Drama.
In a first of its kind, the play was first staged in Hind in Jawahar Kala Kendra at Jaipur in 2014, introducing one of the finest characters in Telugu literature to audiences there. The Telugu play was first staged in Visakhapatnam under the aegis of Writers Academy in August 2016.