Telangana: ‘Nela Nela Vennela’ completes 100 months of continuous theatre in Khammam

Khammam’s monthly theatre programme ‘Nela Nela Vennela’ completed 100 months with its 100th play on November 23. Organised by three cultural groups and supported by Telangana arts authorities, the initiative promotes social-issue plays and keeps theatre alive in the digital age

Khammam: In this digital era where entertainment is literally in one’s palms through the widespread use of smartphones and tablets, three cultural organisations in Khammam have been striving hard to sustain theatre art.

Khammam Kala Parishad, Amarjeevi Annabathula Ravindranath Kala Sanskrutika Sanstha, and Praja Natya Mandali have come together to organise a programme ‘Nela Nela Vennela’ in which theatre plays are enacted every month on third Sunday. The programme is being organised in association with Telangana Department of Language and Culture. In a milestone achievement, the 100th play was played on November 23, after running ‘Nela Nela Vennela’ for 100 months continuously.

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Speaking to Telangana Today, Khammam Kala Parishad general secretary Velpula Vijetha said it is really a great achievement for the organisers of ‘Nela Nela Vennela’ as well as the artists. It has become possible with the collective efforts of everyone involved in the initiative.

Annabathula Subramanya Kumar, Dr Nagabathini Ravi, Motamarri Jaganmohan Rao, VV Apparao, famous lyricist Devendra, G Ravindra, the programme commentator and Praja Natya Mandali singers and others are playing an important role in conducting the programme and thus turning Khammam into a gateway to the arts, she said.

Dr Ravi said that it is a matter of joy that ‘Nela Nela Vennela’ completed 100 months successfully and it is a unique thing that three organisations with different views have been organising the programme.

The cooperation of Khammam city dignitaries, audience, public representatives, officials, non-officials, theatre personalities, theatre organisations, art lovers, artists and media has been a driving force for the success, he stated.

Subramanya Kumar is the person who plays an important role in contacting art institutions across the Telugu States, examining their plays, selecting them and then informing the audience and making arrangements for the play to be played on the stage, Dr Ravi said.

Bhakta Ramadasu Kala Kshetram in Khammam is the permanent venue for the event. Most of the plays are message-oriented and based on social issues. For the past couple of years, competitions have been organised by inviting noted theatre groups on the anniversary of ‘Nela Nela Vennela’.

District Collector Anudeep Durishetty appreciated ‘Nela Nela Vennela’ organisers for attracting the audience who are accustomed to mobiles to theatre plays. The initiative also received praise from film writer Tanikella Bharani and former cultural and media advisor KV Ramana Chary.