Festival to boost Tamil theatre

CHENNAI: Tamil theatre may not be glowing under the psychedelic lights of patronage anymore, and that is exactly why the South Indian Artistes' Association (SIAA) is planning a nine-day drama festival from August 15. "Drama was the foundation on which the entire entertainment industry has been built, and while cinema and television have become hugely popular and money-spinners, Tamil theatre has been pushed to the sidelines.We want to give Tamil theatre its rightful place " said Sarath Kumar, president, SIAA.
Theatre was the route to stardom for many actors including Sivaji' Ganesan, M R Radha, Major Sundarrajan and directors like K Balachander. The formation of SIAA in 1952 ?by MGR, director Subramaniam and Kalaivanar' N S Krishnan, among others ?was itself a celebration of the talent pool, and many actors had their own drama troupes."Actors knew how to sing, dance, deliver dialogues that created an emotional bridge with the audience.They were not one-film wonders," said Radha Ravi, son of yesteryear actor M R Radha. "That is not true of the entertainment field anymore, and there is a need to celebrate our pioneers and inspire the young actors," he added.
Which is why the drama festival will showcase plays dating back to the 1940s and 1950s as well. Drama troupes from all over the state would be involved in the project. Raja Raja Cholan', which saw the pitamah' of Tamil drama T K Shanmugam vow audiences, will be the curtain-raiser, and will be staged by TKS's sons Kalaivanan and Pugazhendhi. The Madurai Nadaga Nadigar Sangam will stage Valli Thirumanam', in memory of P U Chinnappa and T R Mahalingam, while the Sangam from Pudhukottai will stage Udaiappa's Harischandra.'
Chittira Valli' will be enacted by the artistes from Salem, followed by Rudrapathi's popular play Aswathama'. In memory of Sivaji' Ganesan, Y Ge Mahendra's UAA troupe plans to stage the evergreen hit, Vietnam Veedu'. While Raththa Kanneer', which reinforced M R Radha's stature as a star, will see son M R Radha in action.
The festival is being cheered by many leading stars, and superstar Rajnikanth will be among the audience at the valedictory event on August 23. "It is a wonderful idea. The contribution of Tamil drama to films, music, dance and even television has never been acknowledged. Tamil theatre is the mother of all creative endeavours," said Y Ge Mahendra.
The plays will be staged at the Nadigar Sangam premises. Entry is free.