Samahaara

{{use Indian English|date=October 2024}} {{use dmy dates|date=October 2024}} {{Short description|Indian theatre group}} {{Infobox theatre group | name = Samahaara | genre = Theatre | formed = {{Start date|2004}} | image = | website = {{Official website}} | num_members = Rathna Shekar Reddy and Anjali Parvati Koda }} '''Samahaara''' is an Indian theatre group based in Hyderabad. It was founded by two young theatre personalities, the actor-director Rathna Shekar Reddy and the playwright Anjali Parvati Koda.<ref name="thehindu">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/theatre/Men-and-women-merely-players/article16215633.ece|title=Men and women merely players|first=Serish|last=Nanisetti|newspaper=The Hindu|date=July 30, 2010|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> The group began with touring its maiden production, ''The Crest of the Peacock'',<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/archive/|title=Archive News|website=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111018173557/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-10-01/hyderabad/27171230_1_maths-ramanujan-kerala-school "Play 'zeroes' in on history of maths"], ''Times Of India''</ref> an educational play on mathematics across the twin cities to schools and colleges, staging more than 50 shows. Their play ''Purushotham-He, the Victim of Spiders and Pressure Cookers'' written by Anjali Parvati Koda has received critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timesofap.com/politics/post.php?id=97088 |title=Hyderabadi's play to be studied and analysed,Anjali Parvati Koda - Timesofap.com |website=www.timesofap.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305200752/http://www.timesofap.com/politics/post.php?id=97088 |archive-date=2016-03-05}}</ref> The productions include the original plays, ''Dominic Wesley'', written by Koda and directed by the UK-based Stu Denison,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/theatre/fight-for-the-creative/article2144723.ece|title=Fight for the creative|first=Vishnupriya|last=Bhandaram|newspaper=The Hindu|date=June 30, 2011|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> Gregor Samsa, Karna and The Last Wish Baby.''Unlucky'' (based on Samuel Beckett's plays) also directed by Denison,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111018151431/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloids/beckett-revisited-689 "Beckett Revisited"], ''Deccan Chronicle''</ref> Rabindranath Tagore's ''Post Office'', Woody Allen's ''God'',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110623064454/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2011/06/03/stories/2011060350190400.htm Friday Review Hyderabad / Drama : Of absurdity and life], ''The Hindu'']</ref> Athol Fugard's ''The Island'', ��Acharya Tartuffe”, Hindi adaptation of Moliere’s controversial play ‘Le Tartuffe’,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hans/2016-11-30/The-Samahaara-weekend/266260|title=The Samahaara weekend|first=The Hans|last=India|date=November 30, 2016|website=www.thehansindia.com}}</ref> Edward Albee's Zoo Story.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://samahaara.org/blog/778-2/|title=Thank you Directors - All things Samahaara}}</ref> The army courtroom Hindi drama ''Court Martial'' by Swadesh Deepak<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140824/lifestyle-booksart/article/dramatic-challenge|title=Dramatic challenge|date=August 25, 2014|website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref> has been performed and toured all over India by the group with Rathna Shekar essaying the role of Bikas Rai and has been cited as "gripping",<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/hyderabad/rathna-shekar-sparkles-in-the-otherwise-dull-court-martial-by-samahaara/articleshow/64790359.cms|title=Rathna Shekar sparkles in the otherwise dull Court Martial by Samahaara - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=29 June 2018 }}</ref>"engrossing and pathbreaking"<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.eventshigh.com/detail/hyderabad/f17973aa34aaff7fce3c0221e8b7be1a-court-martial-a-pathbreaking-sensational | title=Court Martial - A Pathbreaking Sensational Play by Samahaara | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823041855/https://www.eventshigh.com/detail/hyderabad/f17973aa34aaff7fce3c0221e8b7be1a-court-martial-a-pathbreaking-sensational | archive-date=2018-08-23 | url-status=usurped }}</ref> and powerful.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-weekend/power-play-hyderabad/article24237006.ece|title=Power play Hyderabad|newspaper=The Hindu|date=June 23, 2018|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest was staged by the group<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://events.fullhyderabad.com/the-importance-of-being-earnest-comic-play-by-samahaara/2018-june/tickets-dates-videos-reviews-137955-1.html|title=The Importance Of Being Earnest - Comic Play By Samahaara: Events in Hyderabad - fullhyd.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/whodunnit/article24109483.ece|title=Whodunnit|newspaper=The Hindu |date=June 8, 2018|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> and the actors received positive reviews about their "great comic timing".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://telanganatoday.com/unexpected-end-alter-ego|title=An unexpected end to alter ego|first=Sweta|last=Pendyala|website=Telangana Today}}</ref>

==The Hyderabad Theatre Festival== Samahaara is credited with making theatre popular and involving the young in Hyderabad. Its most significant contribution to the theatre of India, apart from the original productions, has been organizing theatre festivals, namely The Hyderabad Theatre Festival 2009,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.go-nxg.com/?p=5789|title=go-nxg.com|website=www.go-nxg.com}}</ref> The Hyderabad Theatre and Short-Film Festival 2010<ref name="thehindu" /><ref>[http://www.channel6.in/2010/09/infinite-fascination-of-theatre/ "Infinite fascination of theatre"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402224245/http://www.channel6.in/2010/09/infinite-fascination-of-theatre/ |date=2012-04-02 }}, Channel 6</ref> and the Samahaara Hyderabad Theatre and Rock Music Festival 2011.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120707080744/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-18/hyderabad/30530774_1_lady-macbeth-hyderabadi-witches "Rock music festival starts in Hyderabad"], ''Times Of India''</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcrFfLHQWfU Hyderabad Theatre and Rock Music Festival 2011 - The Entertainer's Oath], YouTube</ref> and Hyderabad Theatre Festival 2012.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.buzzintown.com/hyderabad/events/samahaara-hyderabad-theatre-festivalshtf-2012/id--712545.html | title=Samahaara Hyderabad Theatre Festival(SHTF 2012) | access-date=8 March 2014 | archive-date=8 March 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308153803/http://www.buzzintown.com/hyderabad/events/samahaara-hyderabad-theatre-festivalshtf-2012/id--712545.html | url-status=dead}}</ref> The Hyderabad Theatre Festivals (HTF) have been instrumental in bringing together the various amateur and professional theatre groups in Hyderabad and improving the quality and scale of the plays. They have been a great boost for theatre groups in Hyderabad.

Many of Samahaara's stand-alone productions are performed at auditoriums across the city, including the open-cultural center Lamakaan, the iconic Ravindra Bharathi, Telugu University and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. HTF 2009 was held in June 2009 at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, HTF 2010 was held at Ravindra Bharathi for 7 days in July 2010 and HTF 2011 was held in December 2011 at three venues: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Ravindra Bharathi and Taramati Baradari.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cluburb.com/culture/art/2887-hyderabad-theater-festival-hyderabad-2011 |title=Hyderabad Theater Fest 2011 |accessdate=2014-03-08 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121126171855/http://www.cluburb.com/culture/art/2887-hyderabad-theater-festival-hyderabad-2011 |archivedate=2012-11-26 }}</ref> HTF 2012 was held in December at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

==Founders== Rathna Shekar Reddy Reddy is a Hyderabadi theatre and Telugu film actor<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5715233/bio|title=Rathna Shekar Reddy|website=IMDb|publisher=}}</ref> and an alumnus of the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.<ref name="thehindu"/> He is best known for his critically acclaimed theatre productions like Purushotham, Dominic Wesley, Last Wish Baby,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2011/01/07/stories/2011010750360400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701064045/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2011/01/07/stories/2011010750360400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-07-01|work=The Hindu|date=2011-01-07|title=Archive News}}</ref> Gregor Samsa<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/novel-adaptation/article5733713.ece|title=Novel adaptation|first=C. Suresh|last=Kumar|date=28 February 2014|publisher=|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> and others and his work in movies like Ishq (Telugu) and Ente (Malayalam).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.entethemovie.com/thecast.html|title=The Cast - Ente..The Movie|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606091209/http://www.entethemovie.com/thecast.html|archivedate=6 June 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> His body of work includes The Imaginary Invalid,<ref name="auto1"/> Fiddler on the Roof,<ref name="auto1"/> Purushotham, Wait Until Dark,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-youngworld/article889529.ece |work=The Hindu |title=Young World: Drama time}}</ref> The Last Wish Baby.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2011/01/07/stories/2011010750360400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701064045/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2011/01/07/stories/2011010750360400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-07-01 |work=The Hindu |date=2011-01-07 |title=Drama: A laugh riot}}</ref>

Reddy conducts theatre workshops which run full,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.deccanchronicle.com/130311/lifestyle-booksart/article/%E2%80%98amateurs-keep-theatre-alive%E2%80%99-rathna-shekar|title='Amateurs keep theatre alive': Rathna Shekar - Deccan Chronicle|access-date=2018-08-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304162605/http://archives.deccanchronicle.com/130311/lifestyle-booksart/article/%E2%80%98amateurs-keep-theatre-alive%E2%80%99-rathna-shekar|archive-date=2014-03-04|url-status=dead}}</ref> trains actors for both stage and cinema and produces and directs plays for both Samahaara and outside institutions like schools, colleges, corporates and others. His upcoming releases are Mana Kuralle<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/sons-of-the-soil/article5741278.ece|title=Sons of the soil|first=M. L.|last=Narasimham|date=2 March 2014|publisher=|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> in which he plays a negative lead, Antha Scene Ledu,<ref>Antha Scene Ledu</ref> lead in the award-winning Naa Bangaaru Thalli,<ref name="sakshipost.com">[http://www.sakshipost.com/index.php/entertainment/news-gossip/29131-naa-bangaaru-talli-wins-two-international-awards.html?psource=Related%20Articles Unknown]{{dead link|date=December 2016 | fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> Yuddham Sharanam and others. His TV show Wow Emi Ruchi for which he was the host for more than a 100 episodes gained him tremendous popularity on the small screen.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://telanganatoday.com/rathna-shekar-reddy-mentor-extraordinaire|title=Rathna Shekar Reddy, mentor extraordinaire|first=Sweta|last=Pendyala|website=Telangana Today}}</ref>

He has been involved in theatre in Hyderabad, where he has provided mentorship and created opportunities for young performers to develop and showcase their talent.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Art lovers:Hyderabad Theatre Festival | url=http://cityplus.jagran.com/city-news/art-lovers-hyderabad-theatre-festival_1359615864.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304162154/http://cityplus.jagran.com/city-news/art-lovers-hyderabad-theatre-festival_1359615864.html | access-date=2025-01-25 | archive-date=2014-03-04}}</ref>

Anjali Parvati Koda is a critically acclaimed playwright<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hyderabad.olx.in/resurgence-of-theatre-theatre-iid-504901718 |title=Resurgence of theatre Theatre - Hyderabad - Everything Else |website=hyderabad.olx.in |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205201429/http://hyderabad.olx.in/resurgence-of-theatre-theatre-iid-504901718 |archive-date=2013-12-05}}</ref><ref>[http://expressbuzz.com/education/this-geek-won-the-miss-freshers-title/310167.html This geek won the Miss Freshers title | Anjali Parvati Koda | | The New Indian Express]</ref> and writer in films. Her father is filmmaker Mohan Koda<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/121031/entertainment-tollywood/article/films-must-make-cash | title=Films must make cash | access-date=2013-06-07 | archive-date=2018-08-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822215044/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/121031/entertainment-tollywood/article/films-must-make-cash | url-status=dead}}</ref> and brother Rahul Koda is a screenwriter in Telugu who co-wrote Telugu movies including Anaganaga O Dheerudu, Panjaa. She wrote her first play Purushotham-He, the Victim of Spiders and Pressure Cookers at 18,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/node/48360|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018151818/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/node/48360|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 18, 2011|title=‘Audience is opinionated’}}</ref> and later on penned Dominic Wesley, directed by Stu Denison, which received rave reviews including "well-written and witty".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/theatre/article2144723.ece|title=The Hindu : Arts / Theatre : Fight for the creative|website=The Hindu|date=30 June 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/potpouri/eternal-quest-truth-410|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018150912/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/potpouri/eternal-quest-truth-410|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 18, 2011|title=The eternal quest for truth}}</ref> She co-wrote the adaptation of Samahaara's hit production 'The Last Wish Baby', a satirical comedy which is one of Hyderabad's most popular plays with reviews calling it a "laugh riot"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/theatre/A-laugh-riot/article15508718.ece|title=A laugh riot|first=C. Suresh|last=Kumar|newspaper=The Hindu |date=January 6, 2011|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> and a "must watch".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ritzmagazine.in/samahaara-play-performance-the-last-wish-baby/|title=Samahaara Play Performance - 'The Last Wish Baby' | Ritz|date=30 March 2016 }}</ref> Her next play was Gregor Samsa, a stage adaptation of Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis which was critically acclaimed with reviews citing "at once horrific and comic, thanks to the deft adaptation and impressive performances".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/novel-adaptation/article5733713.ece|title=Novel adaptation|first=C. Suresh|last=Kumar|newspaper=The Hindu |date=February 28, 2014|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> Her first play Purushotham, He the Victim of Spiders and Pressure Cookers was included in the syllabus for prestigious universities<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/supplement/story/20150504-setting-the-stage-818217-2015-04-22|title=Setting the stage|first=Mona|last=Ramavat|date=April 22, 2015|website=India Today}}</ref> abroad including for Rutgers, State University of New Jersey<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSamahaara%2Fposts%2F617403828324391|title=Log into Facebook|website=Facebook}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hyderabad-Tab/2014-11-13/Hyderabadis-play-to-be-studied-and-analysed/116054|title=Hyderabadi's play to be studied and analysed|date=November 13, 2014|website=www.thehansindia.com}}</ref>

Her next play Karna was funded by National School of Drama, and it "deviates from the traditional portrayals"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://telanganatoday.com/politics-time-samahaara-theatre-festival|title=On politics of time|website=Telangana Today}}</ref> and is inspired by the great Indian epic Mahabharata and interprets it from Karna's point of view.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/a-re-interpretation-of-mahabharata-through-karna/articleshow/55836310.cms|title=Samahaara Theatre Festival 2016: A re-interpretation of Mahabharata through Karna | Hyderabad News - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=7 December 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/theatre/190916/mahabharata-through-karna.html|title=Mahabharata through Karna|date=September 19, 2016|website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref>

She is also a standup comedian. She has directed short films and web series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hay16.com/videoWgO0t2_vBXg/abhi-abhi-latest-short-film-2017by-anjali-parvati-kodashortfilms-watch.html|title=Loading...|website=www.hay16.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/280517/all-in-the-family.html|title=All in the family|first=Jaywant|last=Naidu|date=May 28, 2017|website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref> She was honoured by Alliance Francaise, Hyderabad which hosted a group art exhibition, ‘NavDevi’ celebrating diversity of talent and creativity in women by putting up an exhibit with quotes from her plays and her photographs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hyderabad-Tab/2017-03-13/Creativity-in-abundance/286601|title=Creativity in abundance|first=The Hans|last=India|date=March 14, 2017|website=www.thehansindia.com}}</ref> She has written dialogue for Telugu films. She has acted in plays such as Hamlet and Anton Chekov's The Bear.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://backup.youandi.com/Backstage_Pass.aspx?PAGE |title=Backstage Pass |website=backup.youandi.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822181526/http://backup.youandi.com/Backstage_Pass.aspx?PAGE |archive-date=2018-08-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/theatre/drama-queens/article5078941.ece|title=Drama queens|first=Prabalika M.|last=Borah|newspaper=The Hindu|date=September 1, 2013|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref>

==Theatre workshops== Samahaara is one of the most active theatre groups in India, with a number of theatre workshops<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.studentmug.com/public/events_inner.php?sno=16 |title=Samahaara Theatre Workshop - Production Oriented |website=www.studentmug.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308134258/http://www.studentmug.com/public/events_inner.php?sno=16 |archive-date=2014-03-08}}</ref> for both beginners and professionals by theatre personalities like Rathna Shekar Reddy, Mike Daisey, Theatre MXT from USA (in association with the US Consulate General Hyderabad),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rangkarm.wordpress.com/tag/samahaara/|title=Private Site|website=rangkarm.wordpress.com}}</ref> Stu Denison from the UK and David Zinder from Israel.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://epaper.deccanpost.in/details.aspx?boxid=61411671&id=1111 |title=Detail |access-date=11 February 2012 |archive-date=23 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223230513/http://epaper.deccanpost.in/details.aspx?boxid=61411671&id=1111 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Samahaara runs weekday Production Oriented Theatre Workshops which end in productions by the participants<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ritzmagazine.in/the-samahaara-production-oriented-theatre-workshop/|title=The Samahaara Production Oriented Theatre Workshop | RITZ|date=23 March 2016 }}</ref> and weekend theatre workshops for beginners. The workshops help promote theatre awareness and increase professional approach and scope in the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vidyouth.com/2009/08/26/on-the-stage-of-life/ |title=On the stage of life {{!}} VidYouth |website=www.vidyouth.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830191042/http://www.vidyouth.com/2009/08/26/on-the-stage-of-life/ |archive-date=2011-08-30}}</ref> Rathna Shekar designs all the workshops by Samahaara and has mentored thousands of people in acting and theatre. He has recently completed a hundred workshops on his own, while Samahaara has done more than 175 workshops so far.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/samahaara-founder-rathna-shekar-reddy-completes-100-workshop-productions/article28823225.ece|title=When Rathna Shekar Reddy finds an opportunity, he passes it on|first=Neeraja|last=Murthy|newspaper=The Hindu|date=August 5, 2019|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Theatre companies in India