Fine art, music, dance and literature come together in the famous village art of Andhra—Tholubommalata or Leather puppetry. Both men and women participate equally in this art. The puppets are made of goat hide. Natural and chemical dyes are used to accentuate character traits of the puppets.
Chaya Nataka Brundam was set up by the parents of the present troupe members, who all belong to one family. The seven troupe members of Chaya Nataka Brundam have worked hard to bring their art not only to other parts of Andhra Pradesh but also to the rest of India and the world. The troupe performed in Spain in November 2004.
(an episode from the Ramayana)
2 hours Rama and Lakshmana call upon Sugreeva (the king of the Monkeys) and ask whether the search for the kidnapped Sita has been successful. Sugreeva in turn asks his army and is told that there is no sign of Sita in the West, East or North. In the South, however, they have encountered a sea that none of them can cross except Hanuman. Sugreeva sends for Hanuman immediately.
Armed with Rama's ring, Hanuman crosses the South Sea and arrives in Lanka. He wages war with many giant guards before he locates the garden in which Sita is being kept captive by Ravana. From his hiding place in a tree Hanuman sees how Ravana tries to cajole Sita. Enraged at Sita's indifference, Ravana orders his guards to kill her unless she surrenders to his will in two months. Hanuman waits till Sita is alone and then comes down to tell her that he is a devotee of Rama. His mission is to find her. Sita does not believe him. So, Hanuman shows her Rama's ring. Sita is convinced that Hanuman is an ally of Rama indeed. Hanuman then re-assures her that within the next two months, the million strong army of Rama and Sugreeva will come to Lanka, defeat Ravana and rescue Sita. Sita is very pleased and gives Hanuman a “Sirorathnam” (head jewel) to take back with him. Thus ends the episode of Sundharakhandam.
The play Sundharakhandam is preceded by a prayer to Vinayaka and Saraswati.
Group Leader S. Chithambara Rao - Puppeteer Performers S. Mohan Rao - Mridangam
Chaya Nataka Brundam
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