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Dabbling in diverse fields has helped Krishnan sustain his drama troupe for 36 years and popularise theatre in Coimbatore
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HIS FRIENDLY demeanour and candidness are what impress everyone.
More than 1,600 stage performances and 54 dramas in a career spanning four decades haven't changed the man one bit.
That's K. R. S. Krishnan alias KRS for you.
All smiles after he was felicitated recently for wining the 2002 edition of the State Government's "Kalaimaamani" award for his contribution to drama, KRS is nostalgic when he recalls his early days.
"I was interested in acting from the beginning. I played the role of Avvaiyar in school. There were no wigs then and they applied vibhuti on my head to make me look old," he says of his first stage appearance.
His obsession with drama took him to Madras.
"I didn't get any chance there. I then came to Coimbatore and joined a troupe, starting off as a comedian. I wasn't able to achieve what I wanted to even after working in amateur sabhas for a few years, and so, I decided to start my own troupe."
KRS troupe was started in 1967 with just two members. "We converted a part of my residence into the make-up room and the make-shift pandal in front of my house was used for rehearsals," he states.
They struck pay dirt with the first play itself. "Vaanavil" was a big success and won nine awards.
STRONG PORTRAYAL: Krishnan in "Poorna Sudhandhiram"
"In those days, a drama had at least four songs. The average duration was three hours. Now, dramas don't have songs and last only 90 minutes," he reminisces.
His popular drama "Poorna Sudhandhiram" took the shape of a short film and was telecast on Doordarshan's Podhigai channel.
"Poramai", which Krishnan calls the "turning point" in his career, was staged 205 times. Most of his plays have been hits, having been staged more than 100 times.
His troupe now consists of 14 members. Kovai Sarala and Kovai Anuradha used to be part of his team.
And, though drama is his first love and passion, Krishnan is into different professions.
This, he says, is to ensure that his love for theatre is not jeopardised. His cast and crew do likewise.
"I am into public relations and advertising. I also run a catering service. You cannot expect to earn profits in theatre. You have to spend from your pocket and I need money for that," he says.
What is unique about his dramas?
"My plays have family-based storylines and highlight society's problems. I don't take crime and health-oriented themes because I don't know about them."
There is no place for liquor and cigarettes in his dramas.
Why? "They are not crimes, but why should you have it at all in the first place?" he asks.
And, how did he manage to win appreciation in Chennai, which itself had a number of sabhas?
"The presentation in my plays was natural and a lot different from the staple fare there. Moreover, all my dramas had live background music. The local sabhas played music from cassettes. All this helped."
He continues: "The main reason for such short-cuts is the cost factor. But if you begin to limit spending, characterisation will suffer. Can you imagine a drama without music and make-up?" he queries.
His interaction with VIPs has also helped him greatly in getting the much-needed financial support.
But running a troupe is not an easy task, he says.
"You need to be tolerant. There were times when the organiser simply vanished without paying money and I had to bear the entire cost. A troupe should be like a family. Only then is it possible to carry on the show successfully."
As for the future of drama in Coimbatore, he says: "There are more than 20 troupes in Coimbatore. Some of them have talented artistes and have even won awards. But, they lack monetary support."
To those aspiring to make it to theatre, he has this advice to offer: "We have to go to the people. Don't expect them to come to us. A true rasigan will always find time to watch drama."
What does he consider his achievement?
"We have shown that there is a place for drama in Coimbatore. Not just drama, but good drama," he says, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
M. ALLIRAJAN
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