Dr. Surendra Swami Bevinahalli: A Lifelong Crusader for Shadow Puppetry and Folk Theatre

It is a matter of great pride for Karnataka that Dr. Surendra Swami Bevinahalli, a poet, theatre artist, and master puppeteer, has devoted his life to preserving and revitalising puppetry—an ancient art form now on the brink of extinction. Through relentless dedication, artistic discipline, and deep respect for tradition, he continues to carry forward a legacy that connects generations to India’s rich cultural roots.

A beloved disciple of Nadoja Belagallu Veeranna, one of Karnataka’s most revered puppetry legends, Dr. Surendra Swami has grown under the guidance and blessings of his guru and his son Sri Belagallu Prakash. Walking firmly on the artistic path laid down by his mentors, he has emerged as a powerful torchbearer of Thogalugombe (shadow puppetry) and folk theatre.

One of the most defining moments of his career was being selected as part of Nadoja Belagallu Veeranna’s troupe by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, to represent India at the first-ever International Puppet Festival in Myanmar (Yangon). Performing alongside his gurus on a global platform remains one of his proudest achievements. Over the years, he has presented hundreds of performances across India at national and state-level festivals, leaving a lasting impression on audiences and cultural institutions alike.

Born in the small village of Bevinahalli in Koppal district, a region known for its ancient Kannada heritage, Dr. Surendra Swami’s life story is one of perseverance against extreme hardship. He was born as a twin to Sanna Mallaiah and Lalithamma, into a Jangam family that struggled with severe poverty. His grandfather and father survived through ritual-based livelihoods, often begging for grain to make ends meet. Yet, amidst adversity, spirituality, tradition, and art shaped the foundation of his life.

Despite financial hardships and displacement caused by drought, he completed his early education through government schools in Ballari and Sandur. He pursued higher education with determination, graduating with First Class from Sri Gavisiddeshwar College, Koppal. The untimely death of his father during his studies forced him to pause his education and shoulder family responsibilities. However, his commitment to learning never faded.

He later completed his Master’s degree from Manasagangothri, Mysore, and pursued advanced research at Kannada University, where he presented a thesis on “Use of Kannada Language in Administration – Problems and Challenges” under the guidance of Dr. Ashoka Kumar Ranjere. In recognition of his academic contribution, he was conferred an honorary doctorate.

Theatre runs in his blood. His grandfather hailed from the Bayalata (open theatre) tradition, his grandmother actively participated in the freedom struggle against the Razakars, and his father was a Bayalata story coordinator. Growing up in this environment, Dr. Surendra Swami naturally gravitated toward theatre, poetry, folk arts, and performance.

Over the years, he has acted in 83 plays, performing a wide range of roles. Bellary theatre served as the foundation of his artistic journey, where he worked extensively with the Rangathorana Theatre Group for nearly eight years. His learning deepened under the mentorship of Nadoja Sri Belagallu Veeranna, founder of Sri Ramanjina Thogalugombe Mela Trust, and later through the continuous support of Sri Prakash Belagallu.

To ensure the survival of puppetry, Dr. Surendra Swami founded “Ranga Gangotri Kala Tanda”, through which he has trained and nurtured several young puppet artists. He has also taken puppetry to government schools in Bevinahalli, teaching children through live demonstrations and extracurricular programs—keeping the art alive at the grassroots level.

As a theatre and puppet artist, he has been actively associated with renowned cultural institutions such as Rangathorana Bellary, Sri Ramanjina Thogalugombe Mela Trust, Mahadeva Cultural Art Trust, Rangasiri Bellary, and Sri Basaveshwara Bayalata Trust. His contributions span acting, storytelling, stage design, and mentorship, earning him recognition and felicitation from numerous organisations.

One of his most celebrated performances is the iconic puppet show “Bapuji (Gandhi)”, written and directed by Nadoja Belagallu Veeranna. Broadcast on Chandana TV, the production has been performed in seven countries with over 10,000 shows, including its historic international presentation in Myanmar under the banner of the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Dr. Surendra Swami has also performed at prestigious venues and festivals such as Rangayana Bahurupi (Mysore), Rangashankara (Bengaluru), Rabindra Kalakshetra, and the National Folklore Festivals (2018–2022), collaborating with stalwarts like Shri Rajendra Karant, Shri Bhimasena, and other eminent theatre personalities.

Today, Dr. Surendra Swami Bevinahalli stands as a guardian of India’s intangible cultural heritage—a man who transformed adversity into artistic excellence and devoted his life to ensuring that puppetry and folk theatre continue to breathe, inspire, and educate future generations.