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Playing to the gallery
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The members of the `Tamizh Thai Nadaga Mandram' have learnt from experience; staging plays for their Railway Week celebrations over decades, writes PRATHIBHA PARAMESWARAN.
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Impressive performance by the actors of the Nadaga Mandram.
EVEN WITH the onslaught of the cinema halls and satellite television, theatre still holds on its own in various parts of India.
Incidentally, there are indications of audience being gradually drawn back to the realm of drama unable to digest stale themes in cinema.
In recent periods, street play performances have gained momentum too, as they were found to be an effective medium to communicate with the public.
Though many have quit the arena realising it to be less patronised, there are still a bunch sticking on to it faithfully and thriving in its glory.
Keeping the audience spell bound.
It is a coincidence that most of them are railway employees. They have learnt from experience; staging plays for their Railway Week celebrations over decades. Their wish to sustain their art in a more effectual way, took a more meaningful form when M. Balan, already a Director and actor, in a bid to take the art to a more elaborate audience, formed the `Tamizh Thai Nadaga Mandram' in 1969.
The troupe consists of male and female artistes from in and around Tiruchi, who work in co-ordination with a group of scriptwriters, lyricists and musicians, to create and stage a play.
Heavy accolades
Though the Association has staged many a play for festivals, it was in 2001 that it really took up the challenge of staging a play for a State-level competition held at the Rasika Ranjana Sabha in Thalayaimangalam, Thanjavur under the auspices of the Kaveri Annai Kalai Mandram.
The first drama staged at Thanjavur, `Disaigal Asaivathillai,' bagged 10 awards including the awards for the best play, story, dialogue, lyrics, speciality of language, best actress, music and singer, and was well-received by the audience.
As K. Krishnamoorthy, who wrote the story, screenplay and lyrics for the drama remarks, "Drama affords more freedom to express myself than any other form of art. Good plays with a social message can always attract people."
Mr. Krishnamoorthy has also worked with the Mandram in the following years and staged various plays such as `Paavayalla aval pournami' and `Sandana kudangal.' The latter plays have also won seven awards each at the same festival.
Hit among audience
Other dramas staged by the Mandram like `Veerathin Vilainilam,' written by Rajaram Mohan Roy and `Dhidir Mappilai' by Pasu Dhanapal, have also been much popular among the Tiruchi audience. The award winning plays have also been staged at the `Vasantha Kala Vizha' held at Thanjavur.
The Tamizh Thai Nadaga Mandram artistes have decided not to rest on laurels they had won in a short duration and plan to improve upon their performances. "We always get more appreciation and support from the rural audience," Mr. Krishnamoorthy cites, "but responses from slum residents are the most overwhelming."
For the members the Mandram, the experience of performing outside the district has earned them enough exposure to improve themselves.
Drama has become a part of life for those involved in the Mandram. Most of them have been nurturing stage performances, though they have other regular jobs. "The crowd lacks maturity to differentiate between good and bad plays. Quality plays will find a crowd under any circumstances," says Mr. Krishnamoorthy.
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