The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Watch Cho's dramas... sitting at home

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 22, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Watch Cho's dramas... sitting at home

S.R. Ashok Kumar

Four of his popular plays now available in VCD, DVD form

CHENNAI: Cho's plays, though staged some decades back, still remain fresh in the minds of the people. Cho's satire, which scrupulously stays away from personal animosity or vulgarity, hold immense appeal.

The plays advise, comment, expose and tickle and tease only to correct but never to hurt any individual or institution. His dramas provide clean and wholesome entertainment to the family. Cho S. Ramaswamy's plays have set a trend for Tamil theatre, especially in political satire.

His four plays--"Judgement Reserved," "Nermai Urangum Neram," "Sambhavami Yuge Yuge" and "Saathiram Sonnathillai"— are now available in VCD and DVD formats.

"Judgement Reserved" is about a sensational court case, exposing the crass hypocrisy and opportunism of the elite segments.

"Nermai Urangum Neram" bares the sorry state of democracy in India and how wheeling-dealing passes off as politics. It was conceived in the mid-70s and staged several times within the country. Its theme remains enduring.

"Sambhavami Yuge Yuge" was a first of its kind for its bold comments on politics. It caricatures contemporary society with such vividness that every situation, every character and every dialogue uttered are familiar and relevant even today. It was first staged in the sixties.

In "Saathiram Sonnathillai," Cho makes a strong social statement against caste divisions.

Veteran film director K. Balachander recently released the VCDs and DVDs, brought out by Swathi Soft Solutions under its `Entertainer Series'.

K. Balachander said, "With his sharp wit, ability to develop piquant scenes and larger than life characters, Cho has set a new benchmark in Tamil theatre. When the CD's were given to me, I watched all the four plays non-stop.

"Though written and staged several decades back, they retain a freshness and reflect Cho's deep concern for society. I am happy that Swathi Soft Solutions has given an opportunity for the present generation to watch these vintage theatre works sitting at home".

Cho recalled the days he and K. Balachander worked together. "Balachander was a creative genius who would extract work from artists. I was different and I would never ever try anything that K. Balachander did, because of sheer diffidence and inferiority complex."

Former director of Doordarshan Kendra, Chennai, A. Natrajan, CEO of the Swathi Soft Solutions, K.S. Sudhakar spoke. The CD's are available at all leading stores. Contact: 52316060, 24984050.

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