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Tamil Nadu
Undeterred by disability, all the world is his stage
M. Balaganessin
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Visually challenged K.S. Venugopal introduced over 40 drama artistes over the years
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— Photo: M. Balaganessin
A Man with a Vision: K.S. Venugopal is seen with his harmonium in Pudukottai.
PUDUKOTTAI: His visual disability is no deterrence. He has overcome all odds with firm determination.
During his boyhood days, K.S. Venugopal, who is 74 years old now, learnt folk songs and Carnatic music. He memorised verses from the Raamayanam and other epics and mastered the ‘ragas.’
He correctly put to use what he learnt — imparting training on stage acting to youth.
He recalled with pride that he introduced over 40 drama artistes.
Training method
The method adopted by Mr. Venugopal to train the actors is interesting. He played the harmonium and sang a song from Raamayanam. He engaged the services of an actor to explain to the trainee the ‘bhavam’ and other posture to be adopted to suit every part of the verse. He utilised the services of Mani Bhagavathar, Mariappan and Ganesan — all actors — for the purpose during the last four decades.
“The actors do not know the songs, but are good at ‘bhava’ suited to a sequence,” he said.
As drama was a major source of entertainment for people in those days, he could succeed in his experiment of imparting training on acting to a number of youths.
He settled down in Pudukottai about four decades ago and guided members of the ‘Muthamizh Nataka Nadigar Mandram.’
Mr. Venugopal learnt harmonium from his relative Murugaiya Pathar and later underwent rigorous training under Narayanasamy Aiyar and others. Going down the memory lane, he said the plays on Raamayanam were spread over four days.
Sway continues
“Drama has its attraction even today, despite the onslaught of television. Villagers’ taste for drama has not faded altogether,” he said in a firm voice. Patronage for drama during rural temple festivals testified to this.
He suggested that the State government encourage talented drama artistes with awards.
‘Sangamam,’ a platform for folk and other rural arts programmes, was a step towards revival of the ancient culture of Tamil Nadu, Mr. Venugopal said.
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