Nataka Samasthalu
Telugu drama companies that spread reform and nationalism.
Focus
Surabhi (1885) — oldest surviving Telugu family theatre. Dharmavaram Ramakrishnamacharyulu — 'Father of Telugu Drama'.
Founded 1885 at Surabhi village, Kadapa
Dharmavaram Ramakrishnamacharyulu, 1886
Bellary Krishnamacharyulu, 1889
Kolachalam Srinivasa Rao, Bellary
Veerasalingam
Gurajada Apparao
Kanyasulkam (1892) — first modern play
Dharmavaram Ramakrishnamacharyulu
Founded first professional troupe
Bellary Raghavacharyulu
Bellary school of Telugu drama
Chilakamarthi Lakshmi Narasimham
Gayopakhyanam
Kolachalam Srinivasa Rao
Hindu Nataka Samajam
- Popularised reform (widow remarriage, anti-nautch).
- Vehicle for nationalist propaganda under Swadeshi & Non-Cooperation.
- Trained the first generation of Telugu cinema artists (Chittor V. Nagaiah).
Surabhi = family theatre (still alive). Dharmavaram = first professional company.
SDBH
Surabhi · Dharmavaram · Bellary · Hindu — drama company quartet.
- Surabhi Samajam — 1885, Kadapa.
- Kanyasulkam — Gurajada, 1892.
- Father of Telugu Drama — Dharmavaram Ramakrishnamacharyulu.
Year of Kanyasulkam
MCQ