K. Balachander’s contribution to the world of cinema, Tamil theatre and the small screen was remembered at the inauguration of the week-long Tamil Drama Festival at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan here on Saturday.
K.N. Ramaswamy, Director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, said they had dedicated the festival to the memory of the late director whom he described as an unassuming, knowledgeable person whom everyone loved.
It was the 86th birth anniversary of the legendary director.
“The drama festival will continue next year as well and a ‘K. Balachander Memorial Drama award’ will be instituted to honour people for their valuable contribution to Tamil drama during the next edition of the drama festival,” he added.
Calling him a pioneer in the field of cinema and drama, theatre personality and actor Y. Gee Mahendra said that many in the industry owed their careers to Mr. Balachander.
“While many speak about how cinema borrows heavily from theatre and drama, K.B. Sir was someone whose plays were staged in such an impressive way that the audience felt like they were watching a movie,” he said.
Actor Sacchu, who spoke about her association with the director, said that he had an impeccable sense of timing and knew what the audience would like best.
