A play on the life of Jyothirao Phule

Sindhoora Cultural Association, Ongole staged the Play ‘Mahatma Jyotirao Phule’ with the help of the department of Backward classes welfare, Government of Andhra Pradesh on Monday at Sri Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao Government Music and Dance College.

This play was written by Dr D Vijaya Bhaskar basing on the life history of Jyotirao Phule. The writer was also the Director, Depatment of Language and Culture, Government of Andhra Pradesh. Jyotirao Phule was one of the prominent social reformers in India during the Pishwas in the 19th century. He led the movement against caste restrictions at that time in India.

He revolted against the domination of the Brahmins and for the rights of peasants and people of the low-caste. Jyotirao was believed to be the first Hindu to start an orphanage for unfortunate children. Jyotirao established a girls' school and asked his wife Savitribai to teach the girls in the school.

He also formed the Satya Shodhak Samaj. The purpose of the organisation was to liberate the people of lower castes from the suppression of the Brahmins. In recognition of services rendered to the society, the king of Baroda, Sayaji Maharaj felicitated Phule with the title ‘Mahatma.’ B Nageswara Rao acted as Jyothirao Phule and Bhavani acted as Savitribai Phule.

The other main characters were played by Rajatamurthy, Bhchaiah Chowdary, Purna Satyam, UV Seshaiah, Bhujamgarao, Vijayakumar, Noorbasha Khasim, KL Narasimharao, Srinivas, Brahmayya, SK Prasad,Bhanu, Vardhan, MS Murthy, Subbarao, Lahari, Sujatha, Padma, The artistes tried to perform their best to make the play success. If the play was a little brisk people could have enjoyed it more.

The play was directed by Patibandla Anandarao and music composed by Endla Yesupadam. Vijayawada Central assembly MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, BC Welfare department Commissioner Harshavardhan, Balaramaiah, Kolanukonda Sivaji, Buddha Nageswara Rao and others were a part of the programme.