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Photos: S. Binu Raj

Role play Getting their act together are children of ‘Suhruthu Nataka Kalari’

‘Suhruthu Nataka Kalari,’ a children’s theatre movement in Vithura, was responsible for Vishnu’s transformation.

“We tapped the hidden actor in him and now Vishnu is not only a good actor and singer but a good human being,” says R. Sudhakaran, founder of ‘Suhruthu Nataka Kalari’.

Vishnu’s tale is only one of the success sagas of this humble children’s theatre group. Suhruthu Nataka Kalari is located in Chaayam village, near Vithura, 40 km from Thiruvananthapuram. Vithura is a hilly terrain that is home to many tribals.

Since its founding in 1995, ‘Suhruthu’ has been able to develop the latent acting talent in many children in the area. “We started with 10 children, now we have 300,” says a beaming Sudhakaran.

The methodology of this theatre is centred on study through play. Children are given the freedom to evolve a play on their own.

“However, initially, the children are unaware that they are in the process of creating a play. The first step is to give a chance to every kid to talk freely about anything. Then others are given a chance to comment about what the children have spoken about. Slowly, they learn the ups and downs of their presentation. Next, they improvise,” explains Sudhakaran.

Children gather here on all Saturdays and Sundays to stage their creations. Children themselves write the script, direct and act in a play. Sometimes the subject of the plays might be a portion from a text book.

The six-hour ‘Children’s Mahabharatha,’ staged by 200 children in 2002, is the masterpiece of this theatre. Sudhakaran and his troupe are now busy with another mega children’s play; the theme is the national movement for freedom. “This play will depict events from 1857 and all the 300 children will be involved,” says Sudhakaran.

Their plays include ‘Sancharikal,’ ‘Vala,’ ‘Who will Bell the Cat,’ ‘Mannankattayum Kariyilayum,’ ‘Nishedhikkoru Ramakatha,’ ‘Nanmakkadu,’ ‘Quit Polio,’ and so on. Suhruth’s workshops in 11 schools in Vithura grama panchayat proved that theatre can be useful in improving the studying abilities of children.

Charadupinnikali, a folk art form that was on the verge of extinction, has now been revived thanks to the efforts of Suhruth Nataka Kalari, says Sudhakaran.

Of the two people who knew this art, one of them, Kunjukutti, a septuagenarian, came forward to teach the children the art form. The children quickly learnt the art and popularised it by staging this complex art form before many distinguished guests, including members of the royal family of erstwhile Travancore.

Children are given training in Kalaripayattu and Thiruvathira. The training is free of cost.

Sudhakaran admits that it would be difficult to run the theatre group without a grant or fellowship from the Government. The National School of Drama helps Suhruthu in conducting workshops. The Sangeeta Nataka Akademi pitched in with some financial help to stage the ‘Children’s Mahabharata.’

“I have been running this institution with the help of my friends who love theatre,” says 42-year-old Sudhakaran. Sudhakaran has been with theatre since 1978 and his training in ‘Natakayogam’ polished his skills. Sudhakaran’s aim is to build up this theatre into a theatre school for children on the lines of Kerala Kalamandalam.

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