The Hindu : Kerala News : Theatre of friendship

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Friday, Sep 05, 2008
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Kerala

Theatre of friendship

. — PHOTO: K.K. Najeeb — PHOTO: K.K. Najeeb

LOVE FOR THEATRE: A scene from Bhoomirakshasam, a play that was staged at the Regional Theatre in Thrissur. — PHOTO: K.K. Najeeb

For them, the theatre is an extension of life. During intervals of their busy careers, they got together. Since the passion for the theatre was their binding force, they formed a platform that would expose social inequities and highlight the trials and tribulations of the ordinary people.

Thus Nataka Sauhrudham, a Thrissur-based amateur theatre group, was born in 1999.

Each year, they staged one play. Earlier this week, as part of their tenth anniversary celebrations, the Nataka Sauhrudham staged their tenth play, Bhoomirakshasam, at the Regional Theatre in Thrissur.

Bhoomirakshasam, which bagged the best award for script at the 2007-08 amateur theatre competitions organised by the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, is scripted by eminent writer Sara Joseph and the award-winning filmmaker M.G. Sasi.

Nataka Sauhrudham, which promotes women’s participation in amateur theatre, brings complexities of women’s life into focus through the play. Bhoomirakshasam explores the conflicting personalities of a woman theatre director at the various phases of her life. It searches the positions of women who refuse to be carried away by the maddening commercialisation of the world around them.

Mahasweta Devi’s ‘Bayen’, Thikkodian’s ‘Kanyadhanam’, G. Sankarapillai’s Sabarmathi Dhooreyanu are among the notable plays staged by the Nataka Sauhrudam.

The anniversary celebrations were inaugurated by renowned actor Nilambur Aisha. Writer Sara Joseph, Nangiarkoothu performer Usha Nangiar and Geetha Joseph spoke.

Mini Muringatheri

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