There was a time when news anchors had a huge fan following. From the commanding tone of Tamizhanban to the powerful voice of Shobana Ravi, each one had a distinct identity. With his pleasing demeanour and tremendous voice clarity, S. Varadharajen is one of the few to etch his name in the higher echelons of news reading on Doordarshan’s Tamil channel. He is better known as ‘TV’ Varadharajen.
His voice was so gratifying that once actor Rajnikanth specifically wanted Varadharajen to read a news bulletin for his film Arunachalam . “I was pleasantly surprised to hear that he asked for my voice,” he says. With that came string of opportunities to read news bulletins in films.
“I also have the dubious distinction of reading the obits of famous personalities. When famous actor and singer K.B. Sundarambal died, I was glad that I was not on duty. But then I got a call from my colleague Shobana Ravi to substitute her as she was not well,” he laughs.
Varadharajen credits his success as news presenter to his knowledge of theatre and experience on stage. He was introduced to drama early in life. His father D.V. Srinivasa Iyengar, a Sanskrit scholar, used to take young Varadharajen to dramas in the school he worked. The school staged plays under two categories -- one for the masters to create a corpus for the teachers’ benevolent fund and another for the boys, the proceeds of which went to the Mid Day meals scheme for the poor students.
His father, who acted in the masters’ drama, would make Varadharajen sit through the rehearsals. “At that time, I was interested more in the tiffin the organisers offered than the drama”, he says. “I had the first taste of onion which was banned in our house but my father allowed me to eat it,” he says. “In a way the taste of onion brought me on to the stage,” he chuckles.
When he joined the school, acting came naturally to him as he used to rehearse with his father at home. That was the time his father took him to several plays of stalwarts from M.R. Radha to Nawab Rajamanickam. “Seeing public recognition for the performers I decided to become a theatre artiste,” he says.
The interest continued and he was regarded as the entertainer in his college. Later when he got employment in a bank, he formed a cultural team with his colleagues and registered for a drama competition. The group staged En Kelvikkenna Pathil and popular theatre personality Y.G. Mahendra directed the play which got Varadharajen the best actor award. He received the award from M.G.R. “He gave me a hug. I did not wash the shirt for the next two years and had it as a specimen,” he says.
The encouragement made him to start his own group Creative Entertainers with like minded friends. He staged more than 50 shows which included plays by Crazy Mohan and Vedham Puthithu Kannan. Subsequently, he dismantled the group as members had different commitments. Later, he formed a new group United Visuals.
Varadharajen became a household name as a Doordarshan news reader. It also got him offers from Kollywood. During that time director Visu offered him the movie Pattukottai Periappa . Director K. Balachander who came for the preview was so impressed by Varadharajen’s acting that he offered him a role in his TV serial. That proved to be the turning point as from then on Varadharajen became an integral part of Balachander’s serials.
He acted in Kaialavu Manasu , Kadhal Pagadai , Kasalavu Nesam , Premi , Marabu Kavithaigal and Sahana . Though his role was a cameo in Kaialavu Manasu , he was remembered for his character. “Once when I was coming out of the railway station, a porter came running to congratulate me. It was a satisfying moment,” he says.
Varadharajen has done more than 80 serials and learnt the nuances of film acting from Balachander. He also attributes his success in acting to popular theatre personality Cho. Ramaswamy. “He is a legend. Once I asked for a script from him for me. He obliged and asked me to choose. I selected Endru Thaniyum Intha Suthanthira Thagam ,” he says.
With his fingers in many pies, Varadharajen suffered an identity crisis. He opted for VRS from his job, quit news reading and decided to become a full time theatre artiste.
Varadharajen keeps his acting spirit alive by regularly staging plays, coordinating with groups and organising theatre festivals across the State.
“Every district should come forward and organise drama festivals to revive theatre,” he says.
He regularly stages plays in the U.S teaming up with the local talent. He wants parents to take their children to dramas and encourage them to take part in theatre activities in their respective schools and colleges. “Drama has a therapeutic effect and is a stress-buster,” he says.
