Theatre buffs can get ready for twelve days of drama and action as the annual summer festival of Kartik Fine Arts begins today at Narada Gana Sabha Main Hall. The sabha’s 27 edition has been dedicated to the late R. Krishnaswamy, president, Narada Gana Sabha, a great patron of the arts, especially budding talent. Here is a quick glance at the fare that awaits viewers. Remember all of them are new and will walk away with prizes too!
Opening the festival is Sathyasai Creations’ ‘Kalakkara Maaple.’ In Maappillai Ganesh’s story, a crorepati father awaits the return of his dead son. An astrologer has predicted that the offspring will return in his 25 year to claim his rightful place. Immense fortune and absence of an heir – what more is needed for a sinister plot? The brew is ready.
Dummy’s ‘Raghuramam’ (April 23) deals with metaphysical issues revolving round conflict, confidenc and coincidence.
Augusto is known for suspense thrillers and his offering is ‘Tiru Alwar Elumbukkoodu’ (April 24) . A policeman is asked to find a lost object and the time given is ten days. A headmaster approaches him too with a request to recover an object that was in the school’s custody for 80 years. And an old couple unearths an object while having the soil excavated for construction. Oh but what is the skeleton the title seems to be suggesting?
It is golden jubilee for Stage Creations and 60 year for the troupe’s livewire, Kathadi Ramamurthi. What is ‘Neeya Naana’ (April 25) about? “It will be a family drama, as always,” says S.L. Naanu. Humour runs as a silver thread in the troupe’s productions and this will not be an exception. Incidentally, celebration is on the cards in October.
Legally Yours makes its debut with ‘Operation Ahimsa’ (April 26) on the much debated capital punishment involving a jailer and three death row convicts. “This is our maiden play at KFA’s Kodai Nataka Vizha. Our first play, ‘Sathiyama Solraen,’ a court room drama, was staged for Brahma Gana Sabha last year,” clarifies Satish Chandrasekaran.
As the name implies, is the troupe going to make law its perpetual theme? “Well, it may have some element of the law,” he concedes. Naturally, Satish, himself an advocate, hails from a family of lawyers. He tried his hand at cinema and has moved to stage after a stint with television.
At a spiritual level is ‘Pancha Pandavar’ (April 27) from Arangan Arangam. Srirangam Rangamani explores the mental state of five persons, who consider themselves as failures. These non-believers wallow in frustration. But the Almighty has not forgotten them, goes the storyline.
Rail Priya, known for their comedy tracks, is back after two years. With several awards under their belt, the group offers ‘Parthu Paesu Pattabhi.’ (April 28)
A tribute to the army is ‘Eendra Pozhudil’ (April 29) by Mother Creations. That every soldier is born to die for the country is the premise of C.V. Chandramohan’s script.
Radio Anna Koothapiran’s legacy is continued by son N. Ratnam, who presents ‘Kaleeswara Bhavanam’ (April 30) . A young man runs into problems and who comes to his rescue? His grandfather. The old man’s wisdom and the unique power of the house in which he lives help the IT professional overcome the crisis.
Internet and social media have brought people closer, not always with happy results. The young girl in ‘Appavin Penn Nandini’ (May 1) finds herself in soup when a video clip circulates. Does the heroine of Gurukulam’s play, written by M.B. Moorthy, find a solution?
It is the mother, who walks away with the honours in the shaping of a child. As if the father has no role at all to play in the process. Sowmya’s ‘Enrum Anbudan’ (May 2) grapples with this anomaly, T.V. Radhakrishnan highlighting the sacrifices the parent makes for the family.
The curtain comes down on May 3 with Mayurapriya’s ‘Oru Kodi Kanavugal.’ P. Muthukumaran looks at a burning issue – higher education and how ambitious parents overreach themselves to put their wards in dream institutions and the price they pay for it.
The committee speaks
Favourite ground
“Troupes prefer to inaugurate their productions at the Kodai Nataka Vizha, which is well attended,” says D.S. Rajagopalan, Committee member, Kartik Fine Arts. The tradition goes back many years with celebrities such as K. Balachander, Nagesh and Major Sundararajan finding a friendly supporter in the sabha.
How many new groups make their entry?
“This year Legally Yours is making its appearance. We do get several scripts but not all pass muster,” explains Mr. Rajagopalan. “Those that don’t make it to the competition will, however, be given an opportunity to stage their plays rest of the year as the sabha presents at least three plays every month,” he adds.
This leads to the fact that the prize list only has familiar names, almost always. “Perhaps, but the criterion here is merit, based on which the judges decide the winners. And there is enough talent for the prizes to go around with everyone bagging an award under some category. In this context, it should be acknowledged that Kathadi Ramamurthi has said he should not be considered for the best actor award although Stage Creations is in the fray. It is precisely for this reason that veterans such as S.V. Shekhar, Crazy Mohan, YGM and TVV are not participating,” he elaborates.
All the troupes are Chennai-based. “Yes, earlier we had playwrights from Coimbatore and Tiruchi submitting scripts for the competition. Age has compelled these veterans to stay away,” Mr. Rajagopalan says.
Showtimes are at 7 p.m. everyday.
