Jest for fun

Tenali Rama takes you the through the dark alleys of the empire of Vijayanagara and shows how humour can iron out even the stickiest of situations

Bedtime stories were invented to drive many a bratty child into early hour slumber. The stories of kings, palaces and fairies were narrated to nurture the children's imagination and transport them to a world of dreams.

Characters like Birbal or Mullah Nasruddin became an integral part of this fantasy world and soon became constant companions of their growing years. Tenali Rama, the court-poet-jester of Vijayanagara emperor Sri Krishna Deva Raya was one such character.

This week, the city's oldest English theatre group Bangalore Little Theatre is bringing on stage their production, Tenali Rama. The play revolves around the life and experiences of Tenali Rama, also fondly known as Vikatakavi.

Aliyeh Rizvi, the director of the play, while describing the relevance of the character and the story in the contemporary period says, "The main aim of the play is to revive the art and tradition of storytelling that people have no time for anymore.

Tenali Rama's character also teaches that humour over confrontation is the best way to diffuse a grave situation."
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The play is set in the early 16th century Vijaynagar Empire where the glorious Krishnadeva Raya ruled. Tenali Rama, hailing from a small town Tenali, Andhra Pradesh added to the glory of the king through his humorous verses and wit.

The play chronicles the events where the court members become jealous of Tenali Rama's popularity and begin plotting against him.
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Replete with bright costumes and complete tomfoolery, with a couple of stories interconnected with one another go all out to show how the levelheaded Tenali handled situations with the use of humour and a unique presence of mind.

Rizvi, who claims that the play is a vibrant narrative with lots of colour, imagery and puppetry says, "All these characters have different layers.

Tenali is portrayed as a man who has different kinds of relationships with different people in his life. Even the main plotter Rajguru is scheming but adorable."

Tenali Rama transcends the barriers of the fantasy world and comes across as a believable character who is manipulative but harmless.

The situations in his life are common and his reactions to them are equally spontaneous. However, his non-evasive methods of dealing with them make him special.
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Through the play, Rizvi in a subtle manner shows the importance and the need of a man like Tenali Rama in a powerful empire like that of Vijayanagara.

At Guru Nanak Bhavan, Millers Road
On from August 26 to 29, 11 am, 3.30 pm and 7.30 pm
and At Ranga Shankara
On from September 1 to 3, 11 am and 7.30 pm
Call 98863 70614
For Rs 150