“I’m Surabhi Jaya Chandra Varma, and for me, theatre isn’t a choice; it’s something I was born into.
When I was just 7 months old, my mother carried me onto the stage during Brahmamgari Charitra, and I played Bala Brahmam. That moment marked the beginning of a lifelong journey.
I come from the renowned Surabhi family, a name that has stood for Telugu drama for over 140 years. I lead Sri Venkateswara Surabhi Theatre Group, and I’ve acted in over 5,000 stage plays to date. Our legacy began in 1885 in Surabhi village, Kadapa, founded by Sri Vanarasa Govinda Rao garu. My grandfather, R. Nageshwar Rao garu, is a Padma Shri Awardee (2013) and received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2011. He is the grandson of our founder, Sri Vanarasa Govinda Rao garu, who founded Surabhi Drama in 1885.
Surabhi started with Tolubommalata — shadow puppetry. From there, we evolved into full-fledged theatre with stage dramas, rolling curtains, live music, poems, and special effects. Over the decades, our families branched into multiple groups, but our bond has remained that of one family. There may be friendly competition, but the foundation is shared respect and love for the art.
The craft has changed over time — from manual setups to modern stage techniques — but the soul remains. We take pride in our backstage efforts.
Every curtain, every lighting cue, every fire effect is handled with care and precision. Safety is paramount, and so is discipline.
We’ve travelled across the country performing in villages, towns, and cities. The ticketing culture has been part of us for over 120 years — from 50 paise, 1 rupee, 2 rupees, and later 30 rupees, until the pandemic. Post-COVID, we moved to sponsorships, taking Surabhi to new formats and even global platforms. I’ve had the honour of performing in France and also took the initiative to launch our website and social media to reach wider audiences.
Some of the iconic dramas we’ve staged include Maya Bazar, Bhakta Prahlada, Sri Krishna Leelalu, Jai Pathala Bhairavi, Lava Kusa, Sri Venkateswara Udbhavam, Sati Anasuya, and Brahmamgari Charitra. I’ve also written and directed original scripts like Katharnak Mallanna, Swayamwaram, and many others. Every character — women, children, men — plays a meaningful role in our stories.
Surabhi is not just heritage; it’s in our DNA. My 8-year-old daughter has already acted in 500 dramas, and my 5-year-old has performed in several hundred. My mother trained them just as she trained me. We practise every day with the same sincerity and energy. Makeup too has evolved — from harsh colours to refined, skin-safe materials that suit modern aesthetics.
I’ve conducted acting workshops across India, collaborated with NSD in Bengaluru and Delhi, and had the privilege of training under B.V. Karanth garu. Our technical finesse and performance quality are what make our group stand out.
In 2016, I was awarded the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. It remains one of the proudest moments of my life.
I’ve also acted in nearly 20 films — my debut being Krishnam Vande Jagatgurum, where I played Karna. That film, inspired by Surabhi theatre, became a bridge between cinema and stage. Director Krish garu noticed my performance through stage shows, and I’m grateful for that opportunity. I’ve also had the honour of performing with Tanikella Bharani garu on stage — moments that reaffirm why theatre continues to matter.
Our ancestors once travelled as far as Burma by ship to perform. Today, we continue that legacy, taking Surabhi to villages, towns, and stages across India and the world.
People may not always remember individual names, but they carry the stories in their hearts — and that is what keeps us going.
On this National Telugu Drama Day, I want to say this with pride and dignity: the show must go on. Our journey is built on generations of hard work and unwavering belief in the power of live performance.
I strongly believe that just as there’s a sports quota, there should be a cultural quota — to support traditional artists who dedicate their lives to preserving and sharing our heritage.
Surabhi has stood the test of time. We’ve adapted, we’ve evolved, but never compromised on what we stand for. This isn’t just about drama. It’s about commitment, legacy, and pride in who we are.”