Chintamani Padya Natakam

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    In Context

    • Recently, the Andhra Pradesh government banned a 100-year-old play named ‘Chintamani Padya Natakam.
      • The Arya Vysya community has been petitioning governments for several years to ban the play, saying it portrays them in a negative light. 

    What is Chintamani Natakam?

    • ‘Chintamani Padya Natakam’ was written in 1920 by playwright Kallakuri Narayana Rao, who was also a social reformer. 
    • The play is about Chintamani, a courtesan and a devotee of Lord Krishna, who finds salvation by singing bhajans. 
    • She is courted by Subbi Shetty, a businessman from the Arya Vysya community, who loses his wealth and family due to his attraction to Chintamani.
    • The original play had a social message, but over the years, it has been modified purely for entertainment.
    • The play is exhibited across the state, mainly in rural areas, during festivals and fairs.

    Arya Vaishya or Arya Vysya (also known as Komati)

    • It is a Telugu-speaking Indian caste. Orthodox Komatis follow rituals prescribed in the Vasavi Puranam, a religious text written in late medieval times. Vasavi (Kanyakamba) is the kuladevi of the Komatis. 
    • The Komatis are divided into two sub-sects, the Gavara Komatis and the Kalinga Komatis.

    Source: IE

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