Tue Jun 24 10:05:51 UTC 2025: ## News Article:
**Forgotten Musical Gem “Sirikakolanu Chinnadi” Revived on Stage in Hyderabad**
**Hyderabad, June 24, 2025:** Over five decades after its radio debut, Veturi Sundararama Murthy’s lyrical musical, “Sirikakolanu Chinnadi,” is set to grace the stage in Hyderabad on June 26th. The tale, originally aired in 1969 and set in the court of Sri Krishnadevaraya, revolves around the devadasi Aliveni and features a blend of devotion, music, and dance.
Bharatanatyam dancer and Carnatic vocalist Smitha Madhav, inspired by a conversation with filmmaker K. Viswanath, is bringing this forgotten gem back to life with a 40-member ensemble. Madhav has painstakingly researched and adapted the radio drama for a modern audience, preserving the original musical compositions while enhancing the theatrical elements.
“I didn’t want to change the music,” Madhav stated. “The original compositions were so beautiful that I decided to work creatively within that musical framework.”
The production promises to showcase a side of Veturi beyond his well-known film lyrics, revealing his deep knowledge of classical literature, mythology, and spiritual traditions. Madhav consulted with Veturi’s family and Telugu scholars to ensure the production stays true to the layered meaning of the original work.
While remaining largely faithful to the trimmed 1972 radio script, Madhav has incorporated creative liberties within the Bharatanatyam choreography, adding occasional flashes of semi-classical movement to enhance the storytelling. The performance, under the aegis of Raga Saptha Swaram and the Department of Language and Culture, Government of Telangana, will premiere at Ravindra Bharati, Hyderabad.
First Piper 