Full of clichés
KAUSALYA SANTHANAM
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``Bharat Ratna" fell very much on the beaten track.
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THE HONEST SCHOOL MASTER: Bharat Ratna
"Bharat Ratna" is about an honest and selfless schoolmaster. The elderly man does not spare the rod when he thinks it is necessary. He will not ask a favour of anyone, even from his ex-pupil who adores him and is now the Collector of the district. A word from the Collector and the widower teacher's only son will obtain the much-needed job. When the master punishes two of his pupils, he lands in trouble.
The theme of the dedicated schoolteacher has been projected far too often on the Tamil stage and screen. The introduction to the play tells us that it has been written (by T.V. Radhakrishnan, also the director) by threading together news reports about the prevailing situation - the disturbing incidence of suicides by school students who felt humiliated by reprimands from their parents and teachers. A new angle was sought to be explored.
Inspiring performance
Veteran Karur Rangaraj gave an inspiring performance as the school master. He has been on the Tamil stage for more than 50 years giving of his best in every role. This was also the most natural enactment of a Collector's role one has seen in a play. Sridhar fitted the part very well. But one has never come across such a shabby living room in a Collector's home!
Light touches were attempted to be given to the play through the character of the landlord played by Radhakrishnan. It succeeded in some places and was overdone at others.
The cliched stories that dotted the narration were wearying. The thinking was befuddled and not in step with changing times. To advise parents not to pamper their children seemed fine. But to advocate corporal punishment in these enlightened times brought the whole play tumbling down like a pack of cards. A small portion of the wine was new in "Bharat Ratna" but the bottle was old and musty.
The play presented by Sowmya won three awards at the Kartik Fine Arts's Kodai Nataka Vizha. It was staged recently by Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha at the auditorium of the Mylapore Fine Arts Club.
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Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
