`I enjoy entertaining people'
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Popular stage artiste Jayaraj Warrier talks about his shows and TV programmes.
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SATIRE IS the hallmark of Jayaraj Warrier's shows. Be it before a packed audience abroad or on television, a range of subjects permeates his shows - politics, films or even the latest trends among the youth.
"My love for Chakyarkoothu and Ottanthullal started at a very young age, which prompted me to learn these arts when I was studying in Class VIII. I got trained in those art forms for three years," Jayaraj says. Although he stopped learning those art forms, the style greatly influenced him and his future endeavours. His tryst with the arts did not stop there. He formed a theatre group called `Root' with some students of the School of Drama. "Although defunct now, we did our bit in theatre through this group while it lasted," he adds.
It was his deep interest in Malayalam language and the rich culture and tradition of Kerala that prompted Jayaraj Warrier to take up this line of art. "I found that Chakyarkoothu and Ottanthullal, which are very much part of our culture, were being forgotten. Not many in the present generation know much about these arts. So I took it upon myself to bring awareness among the youth about the existence of these art forms," he says.
Television programme
Although Jayaraj started his career doing stage shows he came to the limelight only after the New Year's Eve programme on television in 1996. "Television is the best medium to popularise oneself. But I have found that performing before an audience is much better than confining oneself before a camera, within a slotted time. There is little scope for improvisation when one remains in one place without moving from the angle of the camera," he says.
While performing on stage, it is easy to improvise according to the reactions of the audience. "I am a failure as a television artiste," he says.
Jayaraj has a penchant for music as well. "I like to listen to old Malayalam film songs. My affinity towards the language was the upshot of these film songs. The language used by Vayalar Rama Varma and P. Bhaskaran has influenced me a lot. From their songs I learnt how flexible Malayalam words were, which could be manoeuvred according to one's desire. It was then that I decided to tap the language in my programmes," Jayaraj says. It is this love for music that prompted him to start a music-based programme on Kairali channel, which is quite different from other shows of this genre.
Hectic schedule
Now Jayaraj has a hectic schedule that takes him all over the world. He finds that Malayalis living abroad are more sensitive towards current issues. "Once a Malayali leaves Kerala, he becomes less touchy about the happenings in his home State. I find them more appreciative towards satire," he says.
Jayaraj is not prepared to waste his time doing films or commercial theatre. "I am prepared to take up a role in the films provided it suits me. Although I received some film offers, I am yet to take up one, as I don't want to end up with neither this nor that," he says. For the time being he is happy doing his stage shows and spending free time with his wife Usha, who is a housewife and daughter Indulekha, who is in Class VII.
"What I do now is what I enjoy the most - entertaining and educating people through satire," he says.
Ambika Varma
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