Context
Recently, the Andhra Pradesh government banned a 100-year-old play named ‘Chintamani Padya Natakam’.
What is Chintamani Natakam?
- ‘Chintamani Padya Natakam’ was written in 1920 by playwright Kallakuri Narayana Rao, who was also a social reformer.
- In the play, the writer explains how people neglect their families by falling prey to certain social evils.
- The play is about Chintamani, a courtesan and a devotee of Lord Krishna, who finds salvation by singing bhajans.
- She is courted by Subbi Shetty, a businessman from the Arya Vysya community, who loses his wealth and family due to his attraction to Chintamani.
- The play is exhibited across the state, mainly in rural areas, during festivals and fairs.
- It was aimed to create awareness on the Devadasi system and how the flesh trade was ruining many families at that particular period.
- Subbisetty, Chintamani, Bilvamangaludu, Bhavani Shankaram, and Srihari are some of the characters in the play.
Objection
- Began as a social sermon, this play has been increasingly vulgar.
- The original play had a social message, but over the years, it has been modified purely for entertainment.
- Much of the play sees central character Subbi Shetty made fun of, especially for losing all his wealth to his vices.
- Subbi Shetty, who resembles a person of a transgender community, is used to portray the social group in a bad way.
- The Arya Vysya community has been petitioning governments for several years to ban the play, saying it portrays them in a negative light.
- Obscene dialogues are added to the play in the name of creativity.
- After reviewing the contents of the play, the state government had banned it on January 17 this year.
