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Homage paid to Sankaradas Swamigal

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

Remembering a pioneer: Folk artists and film personalities take out a procession on the occasion of the 85th death anniversary of Sankaradas Swamigal in Puducherry on Tuesday.

PUDUCHERRY: Each year a dedicated group of folklore artists and members of the Thenn India Nadigar Sangam make it a point to come to Puducherry on November 13, the day Sankaradas Swamigal, who was known as the Father of Tamil Theatre, breathed his last. This year was no different.

To mark the 85th death anniversary of the playwright, the artists took out a colourful procession from Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple to Karuvadikuppam burial ground, where his well-maintained ‘samadhi’ stands.

Actors V.T.M. Charlie, ‘Pasi’ Sathya, director T.P. Gajendran and MLA R. Viswanathan were among those present on the occasion.

In 55 years, Sankaradas Swamigal wrote 68 plays, including ‘Pavalakodi’, ‘Alli Arjuna’, ‘Satyavan Savitri’, ‘Sathi Sulochana’, ‘Kulebagavali’, ‘Gnanasoundari’ and ‘Sathaaram’. He introduced the harmonium on stage plays. He groomed actors MGR, Sivaji Ganesan and M.R. Radha.

The son of Damodaran Kanukku Pillai and Kanthimathi Ammal, Sankaradas Swamigal was born in 1867 in Kaatunayakanpatti near Tuticorin. He remained single throughout his life, and stayed in Puducherry during the last five years of his life. He passed away in 1922.

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