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Appealing to the political mind

Audience appeal is the hallmark of plays that have successfully struck a chord in the minds of critics and fans alike. Their popularity hinges on many intangibles, even as the audience finds it difficult to relate the inherent sentiments conveyed through them with the present-day milieu.

Staging of two such plays recently, that may be called classics in their own right, ‘Ijje Nallamanusya nagan Nokke’ and ‘Nammalonnu,’ have evoked good response for the inherent cultural and political sentiments they once conveyed.

These plays were first staged in the early Fifties in Malabar, both more or less on the same trajectory providing an impetus to the progressive labour-oriented political movement in the backdrop of land reforms in the State.

The plays revolve around the agrarian movement of the time, landlord-tenant relationship, and communal amity that continued to prevail in Malabar in the face of challenges.

‘Ijje Nallamanasya nakan nokke,’ staged at the Thaj Memorial Festival at the Town Hall here recently, drew a sizable audience.

It has settings that depict the peculiar culture of the Muslim community against the backdrop of the agrarian movement in the region, in the Fifties.

“The first staging was in the Fifties, by Kalasamithi of Nilambur Chandakunnu Vayanasala. Later, under the guidance of Nilambur Balan, it was staged in 1978 -79,” says T. Suresh Babu of Kozhikode Kalagramam that showcases the drama.

The present portrayal has Nilambur Balan’s 68-year old wife Vijayalakshmi, who dons the role of a 28-year-old woman as she did when it was staged four decades back, and his son Santhosh.

Based on E.K. Ayamus’s story ‘Ijje Nallamanasya nakan nokke’ is being staged at several other venues.

Similar is the audience appeal for ‘Nammalonnu,’ staged by Deshaposhini Kalasamithi during the Thaj Drama Festival.

“The play, based on Cherukad’s story, was first staged in Malappuram when stalwarts in the theatre field enacted roles of the seven–member cast,” says A. Ratnakaran of Deshaposhini Kalasamithi that re-enacted the play and has directed it too.

Maleeha Raghaviah

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