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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

He is bound to theatre by a solemn vow

VETERAN: Stage artiste Ramalinga Siva

His prolonged association with theatre has moulded him into what he is today – hugely popular with the audience for his ability to play any role and for his synchronised dialogue delivery. He has acted in scores of drama, mostly epics such as ‘Raamayanam’, ‘Dasavatharam’ and ‘Kumara Vijayam’. He effortlessly delivers the dialogue of Kooni from the Raamayanam and Kala Kanda Iyer from Harichandra. Although a number of his colleagues in the legendary ‘Boys Company’ of Nawab Rajamanickam Pillai switched over to films, he stuck to theatre to keep a promise he made to Pillai.

Veteran artiste Ramalinga Siva, who was in Pudukottai recently, shares his views with M. Balaganessin on the influence of theatre and the support it enjoys even now among the people.

On seeing him, every stage artiste at the 60th anniversary celebration of Pudukottai Muthamizh Nataka Nadigar Sangam show their respect and regard. Some bow down to touch his feet and seek his blessings, while the elderly ones go down the memory lane to share their experiences of their decades-long association with theatre and their efforts to promote its cause.

Age has not deterred Ramalinga Siva’s interest in theatre. At 71, he could still enact a role in Bama Vijayam, staged in Pudukottai as part of the Sangam celebration.

He had undergone rigorous practice in theatre at ‘Boys Company,’ which produced several leading artistes of yesteryears. During his 18-year stint in the company, he had prolonged association with noted stars and singers of Tamil filmdom such as R.S. Manohar, M.N. Nambiar, K.S. Gopalakrishnan, Chidambaram S. Jayaraman and S.D. Sundaram, who were products of the company.

He denied several opportunities that came his way to make his debut in the film world. “For, I had promised to Nawab Rajamanickam Pillai that I will stick to theatre only, till the end of my life,” he says. An artiste’s talent can be gauged only through drama, he asserts.

He has donned several roles in different plays and different roles in a single production. He can even recall with precision Kooni’s dialogue in the Raamayanam. “In a few plays, I played more than 10 roles,” he says. For instance, in Harichandra he played eight roles including the double role of Asalathu pillaigal, Mayana Paei, Punitha Uruvam, Veerabahu and Lord Siva.

He recites with perfection the dialogue scripted by Sundaram Vathiyar for Thooku Thooki, besides lines from plays including Pavalakodi, Kovalan, and Nandanar.

According to Mr. Ramalinga Siva, patronage for drama is still alive in Tamil Nadu, especially in the southern districts. He has often received invitation from rural areas, where special drama to invoke the blessings of the rain god are staged. The government should encourage artistes by giving special concessions. Attention should be paid to women artistes, who retire within a few years and live in penury, he says.

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