The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Award for “Nataka Ramanujam”

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Tuesday, Feb 26, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Award for “Nataka Ramanujam”

Special Correspondent

Photo: M. Srinath

HONOUR: Union Minister of State for Finance S. S. Palani Manickam felicitating ‘’Nataka Ramanujam” in Thanjavur on Sunday. —

THANJAVUR: Prof. S. Ramanujam, a leading theatre director who is popularly called as “Nataka Ramanujam”, was presented an award in appreciation of his contribution to theatre by the Thanjai Prakash Ilakkiya Sinthanai Vattam at Thanjavur on Sunday.

Union Minister of State for Finance S. S. Palani Manickam presented the award to Ramanujam.

A documentary on Ramanujam produced by C. Annamalai, a reporter of British Broadcasting Corporation, was screened on the occasion.

Ramanujam blends tradition with modernity and makes his dramas relevant and meaningful.

Another life

“It is yet another life,” says he about his dramas. Ramanujam started his career as a school teacher in Gandhigram in Dindigul district and later studied theatre arts at National School of Drama, Delhi, (1963-1967).

He worked as an assistant director in Thrissur School of Drama and as Head of the Department of Drama, Tamil University, Thanjavur. He is now involved in the revival of Kaisika Natakam, a 4-century-old Tamil theatre form.

He has conducted a number of theatre workshops and directed plays in Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, Telugu and English. He is considered as one of the children’s theatre experts.

Services not fully recognised

Mr. Palani Manickam said that the services of Ramanujam have not been fully recognised. He would do the needful by bringing them to the notice of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

“It is heartening to note that Ramanujam is perpetuating drama art by teaching children in Vadakkupattu village through his daughter,” the Minister said and offered to build a stage at Vadakkupattu. He also offered to help the artist conduct workshops in Thanjavur to groom new artistes.

Former professor of Tamil University Rama Sundaram presided over the function. Former professor of Tamil University K.Arangan, K. S. Karuna Prasad, a student of Ramanujam, M. S. Gandhi Mary, a children’s drama expert, also spoke.

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