Family first, money later

Humour can quickly turn conflict and tension into an opportunity for shared fun and intimacy, which helps you stay resilient in the face of life’s challenges. Manch Theatre Group’s Telugu play, ‘Chai Edi Be’ staged at Lamakaan in Banjara Hills over the weekend was a similar presentation.

The play explained the importance of joint families in Indian society. It is also showcased how fake sages are making money by deceiving people and cashing on their superstitions. The story revolved around a tea seller, who has a dream of getting a broken relationship intact. Presented in a semi-rural setup, the play showed how he solves the problem.

The play starts with a conversation between the tea maker Ramulu and milk seller Raju, in which they discuss about a split between two brothers, Peddanna (Sarpanch of the village) and Chinnana. A cunning sage goes to Peddanna and makes him separate from his brother on the pretext of it bringing happiness to the Sarpanch’s family.

The split affects development in the village. Consequently, the villagers decide to come together in reuniting the two brothers. “We are witnessing many families separating everywhere in India. I also suffered with the same case when my father and his brother separated.

Today, people are giving value to money and assets over relationships. Through this play I wanted to show the importance of relationship between two brothers,” said the director Srikanth Banala.

“If a family is divided then many people including their friends and relatives also suffer,” he said. Artistes Suleman Shaik, Harsha Chakillam, Prashanth Kumboji, Karthik Putta, Suman Singasani, Saddi Manasa, Sridevi Jella, Rakesh Kumar Narlapuram, Shiva kumar and Srikanth Banala enthralled the audience with their mesmerising performance.

By V Sateesh Reddy