Date:16/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/16/stories/2008031653710400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

‘Acting’ his way into Guinness Book

S. Ramu

Pendem Krishna Kumar stages 13 mythological and historical get-ups in two hours and 20 minutes with an aim to create a world record

P. Krishna Kumar as Shivaji.

SURYAPET (NALGONDA DT.): An enthusiastic stage artiste, Pendem Krishna Kumar, 35, of this town staged 13 mythological and historical get-ups in 2 hours and 20 minutes on two stages with an eye on the Guinness Book of World Records here on Thursday night.

Owner of a medical agency, Mr. Kumar had already found a place in the Limca Book of Records for a similar fete on April 29, 2006.

“I trust I am going to break the world record created by Jerry Hall of the United States. Jerry performed six getups in 2 hours and 42 minutes to find a place in the Guinness Book of World Records under the category titled, Most Theatrical Appearances on a Single Night,” Mr. Kumar, who stunned the audience with his performance, told The Hindu after the marathon fete.

“Unlike in mono-action, I delivered suitable dialogues for each portion to enthral the audience,” he said, expressing gratitude to his family members and friends for encouraging him to take up the task.

Stunning performance

Revenue Divisional Officer G. Manohar Gupta, Mandal Revenue Officer V. Yadagiri, Municipal Chairperson Meela Satyanarayana, advocate-cum-notary Eeswar Kumar, councillor and Lions’ Club president K. Niranjan and some VIPs of the town also witnessed the show to comply with the rules framed by the Guinness Book.

They appreciated Mr. Kumar’s stunning performance.

The roles he chose to break the record include, Narada, Alexander, Shiva, Shabari, Karna, Duryodhana, Ravana, Ghatodgaja, Hamlet, Jesus Christ, Santa Claus, Shivaji and Shakuni.

While the first eleven portions were staged at the Gandhi Park Auditorium, the remaining two portions - Shivaji and Shakuni - were performed at the Merchants Association Function Hall.

Planned event

Mr. Kumar has been striving hard for the past one year to create the record. “I have been in touch with the officials of the Guinness Book of World Record and we carefully planned the event to figure in the prestigious book,” Mr. Kumar maintained.

A Hyderabad-based makeup man, Ashok Powar, played a vital role in changing the artiste’s getups within no time.