‘If there was One more Vivekananda, he would have understood what This Vivekananda has done ‘, says Swami Vivekananda – the warrior monk of modern India in one of his letters written to Indians. Standing as one of the most powerful awakeners of youth, he is a radiant embodiment of practical Vedānta in action. The play ‘Yelu Melelu… Hādu Chāgiya Hādu’ is a theatrical exploration of Swamiji’s extraordinary life, vast vision, and eternal message. The title is a clarion call: Rise higher, awaken within, and sing the timeless song of Tyāga – selfless renunciation. Through stirring scenes and reflective moments, the play illuminates his vision of nation-building and character-building, his deep love for the Motherland, and his prophetic dreams for India’s future. At its heart, the play speaks directly to the youth, echoing Swamiji’s thunderous assurance:
‘You can do anything and everything.’
The drama weaves together Swamiji’s ideas on true education, his burning concern for society, and his profound yearning for the reconstruction, revival, and resurrection of India. India’s struggles of the past, challenges of the present, and possibilities of the future unfold seamlessly on stage, guided by Swamiji’s fearless voice.
Writer
Shri. Bharathraj G.N. is an alumnus of Ramakrishna Vidyashala, Mysuru, whose life journey itself reads like a powerful theatrical arc. Once engaged in the trade of wine, he experienced a profound inner transformation through the grace of Sri Ramakrishna Deva, emerging as what he fondly calls a ‘divine dealer’.
Inspired by the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda, Bharathji has dedicated himself to carrying Swamiji’s message to schools and colleges across the state through an innovative and deeply engaging programme titled ‘Direct Interaction with Swami Vivekananda Himself.’ This unique format blends performance, dialogue, and inspiration, allowing young minds to encounter Swamiji not as a distant historical figure, but as a living, questioning, guiding presence.
A passionate writer and cultural thinker, Bharathji is the playwright of ‘Yelu Melelu… Hādu Chāgiya Hādu’. His writing reflects lived experience, inner transformation, and an abiding faith in theatre as a means of awakening conscience and courage. Through his words and work, the stage becomes a space of reflection, renewal, and resolve.
Director
Karthik Saragur is a multifaceted filmmaker and storyteller from Bengaluru, India. Educated in Journalism, English Literature, and Psychology from Christ University, Saragur’s two-decade-long career spans an impressive array of films, documentaries, and lyrical compositions. He runs Beehive Productions, a Bengaluru based independent film and television company.
Saragur’s impressive filmography includes acclaimed works such as “Bheemasena Nalamaharaja,” a film exploring human relations and PTSD, and “Jeerjimbe,” an eye-opening piece on child marriage. His innovative documentaries include an extensive chronicle on Bengaluru and an exploration of the Mysore region’s cultural traditions. Saragur is also celebrated for his lyric-writing, with one of his songs even resonating in the Canadian Parliament. Fluent in multiple languages, including Kannada, English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, he uses his rich linguistic palette to weave narratives that resonate across diverse audiences.
With numerous awards and accolades under his belt, including two Karnataka State Awards in 2016, Saragur’s work transcends the boundaries of cinema, merging creativity with an earnest social conscience. He aspires to weave stories, create awareness, and touch lives through various forms of art and theatre.
Sri Shrikrishna Sampagaonkar is a distinguished theatre practitioner, cultural educator, and social communicator, trained in Acting at the National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi, with academic grounding in Mass Communication from Pune University. His artistic journey seamlessly blends classical performance traditions with contemporary theatre practice.
As the President of Ramrajya Kalamela, he has been instrumental in promoting theatre as a tool for cultural awakening and social engagement. His work spans stage performance, cultural narration, and theatre-based education, reaching audiences across Karnataka through workshops, personality development camps, and youth-oriented cultural programmes.
A significant milestone in his theatre career is the ‘Yuva Jagruti’ initiative, presented during the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, through which he reached nearly one lakh students from over 300 schools and colleges with a powerful solo theatrical portrayal of Swami Vivekananda, underscoring theatre’s ability to inspire thought, discipline, and national consciousness.
Beyond performance, SriKrishna ji is actively contributes to cultural policy and social welfare. He represents Karnataka on the Board of Governors of the South Zone Cultural Centre,Thanjavur. Serves as Vice President of Samskara Bharati, Karnataka Uttar Prant and supports large-scale social initiatives aimed at children’s welfare and cultural preservation.
Director’s Note
‘Yelu Melelu… Hādu Chāgiya Hādu’ is our humble theatrical offering at the feet of Swami Vivekananda – a luminous force whose words continue to awaken minds and hearts. The soul of the production is the iconic ‘Song of the Sannyasin’, composed by Swami Vivekananda at Thousand Island Park, U.S.A. This powerful hymn of inner freedom and strength finds a new resonance through its luminous Kannada translation by Jnanapeeth Awardee Rashtrakavi Kuvempu. This production does not merely recount episodes from Swamiji’s life. It seeks to enter the fire of his thought and reflect it on stage. Swami Vivekananda proclaimed that the national soul of India rests upon two eternal pillars: Renunciation and Service. His ideal of Renunciation and Service is presented not as escape from the world, but as courageous participation in it. Through drama, music, and movement, we have attempted to give living form to his vision of character-building and nation-building. In a time marked by restlessness and uncertainty, this play addresses the youth directly. ‘Yelu Melelu… Hādu Chāgiya Hādu’ is not merely a play. It is a call to rise,a song of sacrifice,and a mirror held before the youth of India, inviting them to discover the strength that already sleeps within.
Group
Ramarajya Kalamela is a vibrant cultural collective dedicated to presenting Indian performing arts as a medium of spiritual awakening and social harmony. Rooted in tradition and inspired by Sri S. S. Ganpatrao Maharaj of Kannur, the Kalamela draws upon Maharashtra’s beloved folk form Bharud to convey profound spiritual ideas in simple, colloquial languages accessible to the common masses.
Nurtured by the blessings and lived spiritual experiences of enlightened masters, Ramarajya Kalamela embraces a wide spectrum of traditional and folk art forms including Bharud, Budubudukya, Saaruva Ainaru, Hasya and Prahasana, solo performances on Swami Vivekananda, short plays, Keertana, Gondhali, children’s theatre, dialogues, folk poetry, Qawwali, Dappina Pada and Anubhava Pada. Each performance blends aesthetic beauty with philosophical depth, transforming the stage into a space of reflection and inspiration. The Kalamela strives not merely to entertain, but to enlighten.
Celebrating its Silver Jubilee year, Ramarajya Kalamela has carried its performances across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. The Kalamela is guided by the belief, echoed by Swami Vivekananda, that’Art, science and religion are but three different ways of expressing a single truth.”
Under its banner, the play ‘Yelu Melelu… Hādu Chāgiya Hādu’ is presented as part of Bharangam 2026, continuing a cherished tradition of meaningful and transformative theatre.