374th Prahalada Charithiram conducted in Thanjavur

With all the actors being amateur artistes, they performed the drama in traditional style. The all-male performance, where even a female character’s role was donned by men, was performed with Telugu songs and dialogues at the backdrop. The drama had elements from the forms of classical Tamil dance.

It is said that the annual performance has been continuing from the 16th century when Achuthappa Naik reigned Thanjavur. In the Vaishnavite tradition, the drama has been considered as an offering to Lakshmi Narashimha by his devotees. The drama has the tale of Narashimha slaying King Hiranyahashibu. The concluding and the important part of the drama where Narashima comes out of the pillar and slays Hiranyakasibu, was performed during the wee hours of Saturday.

S V Vijayaraghavan played the role of Narashimha, adorning the revered mask. Later with the scene of the coronation of the character of Prahalathan, the drama came to an end. C S M Subramanian performed the role of Hiranyakasibu. Veena artist G Ramdass and his troupe performed the music.