A team of talented actors, aptly cast, enact a drama that’s backed by meaningful dialogue. What more can one ask for!
‘Samarpanam,’ produced by J.B. Creations, saw C.V. Chandramohan, known for his emotion-filled plots, score in presenting a true life story that has been suitably modified for stage. Such stories have an impact on the audience, for many might have been through similar situations.
Viswanathan Iyer and Savithri, a loving old couple, live in penury. They depend on Arunachalam Chettiar, a philanthropist and family friend, to educate their two boys, Subramaniam and Ganesh. When they complete their basic education, the father wants his sons to get a job as he does not want to trouble Chettiar further. The mother, on the other hand, wants them to study further.
A difference of opinion creeps in between the couple. ‘Telephone’ Venkataraman, their neighbour and friend, intervenes and convinces Viswanathan to support his wife’s objective. The sons go away. While the father takes things philosophically, Savithri pines. It is a happy reunion when the sons return home after completing their education. Savithri wants them to go with her to Kanchipuram to have Periyava’s darshan, but she falls sick. Her unshakeable faith in Him makes her refuse treatment. Helpless, the boys head for the Kanchi Math.
Deftly handledA difficult theme has been deftly handled by director Chandramohan who has also penned the dialogue. C.V. Kumar as the father was restrained and reminded you of T.S. Seshadri of yore. Usha Ravichandran as the mother emoted very well with perfect voice modulation. Be it the scene where she admonishes her children in her dream or the scene where she is filled with joy on their return from higher studies, Usha excelled.
Madhu, as the elder son, ever affectionate and ready to sacrifice, continued from where he left off in his earlier play “Enna Kavi Paadinaalum,” his voice once again being his strength. Girish Ayyapath as Ganesh proved why he is one of the most sought-after youngsters by drama troupes.
Kala Nilayam Chandru as Telephone Venkataraman with his nonchalant dialogue delivery, enlivened the proceedings. M. Jayakumar as Arunachalam Chettiar was adequate.
Vasudevan as Maha Periyava scored over the rest of the cast in a cameo. He had done his home work to depict Periyava both in action and speech, with Perambur Kumar’s brilliant make-up adding to the effect. Lighting by Kalaivannan was a highlight. Guhaprasath’s soft music also included a song on motherhood, sung beautifully by P. Unnikrishnan and Saraswathi.
The play was staged recently at Vani Mahal under the auspices of Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha.
