In the concluding period of 16th century Telugu Poet-Saint Narayanatirth came over to Barahur village in Tanjore District and presented dance-dramas centering around the anecdotes of the Bhakti Sampradaya. The first two dramas "BHAGVATMELA NATAKAM" and "KRISHNALEELA TARANGINI" and thereafter "PRAHLAD CHARITAM", "USHA PARINAYAM", "BHAMAVIJAYAM", "VASANTKELIKA" and other plays were written by Venkatram Shastri, the son of Narayantirth and performed.
Among the later playwrights the noteworthy names are V. Ganesh Iyer, Balu Bhagavat and N .D. Swami.
Professional theater companies staged plays based on family and social problems, prominent among them was "TREJAKI YAMADARSHANAM" by Gopal Krishna Abburi.
Two great playwrights writing in Telugu language were Vedam Venkatacharya Shastri and Guruzada Apparao. ""PRATAPRUDRIYAM" penned by Vedam Venkatacharya Shastri has been hailed as a great Telugu play on account of its historical background, strikingly effective dialogues and the use of local ethnic language. Guruzada Apparao, considered to be the founder of realism in Telugu drama, authored a play "KANYASHULKAM" dealing with the problems of women of that region and particularly the practice of selling of young brides. Apparao is the leading representative of renaissance of the Telugu literature and theater . Apparao's second play "MUTHULYASARAMULU" proved to be a popular play.
Among the modern dramatists Ganesh Patra stands out whose "ASUR SANDHYA" is a motivating play.
A Note
The information presented here in respect of the Telugu Theatre has been gathered from available sources. It has been like an attempt to gather pearls from the ocean. It is possible that some happenings, names of some dramas and dramatists and drama artists may have been left out. For our lack of knowledge we seek your forgiveness and at the same time request the experts in this field to draw our attention to any errors or mistakes by writing to us the correct details. We assure you such corrections will be promptly carried out.
Further the names of dramas, playwrights and drama artists who are listed here are not in any order of priority of their qualities or achievements but only with a view to present the information as it has been gathered.
Lastly we once again request you to send in your suggestions, information etc. in respect of Telugu dramas and thereby enrich this humble record of the Telugu Theatre.
