Drama to cinema... is a natural progression. Can it be vice versa?
Ramanujam Thirumalai
Chennai
Last year when I was in the U.S. to stage the play ‘Ithu Namma Naadu’, I was told one of the Hollywood heroes took a two-year break from film to go back to theatre, to re-invent himself. Stage has always been a stepping stone to cinema. That’s why great film artists such as MGR, Sivaji, Manohar, S.V. Sahasranamam, TKS Brothers and the inimitable director K. Balachander continued to perform on the stage too. At the age of 75, KB watched plays and staged new ones. I can confidently say that actors with stage experience are better performers. I feel that because of my theatre experience, directors are very comfortable while explaining the scenes of the serials.
Your achievements as a theatre artist?
Sukumar K
Chennai
As a dramatist I have travelled around India and across the globe. I have met the late APJ Abdul Kalam at Rashtrapati Bhavan. I have had lunch with Narendra Modi when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. I will always cherish these moments and feel proud to belong to the Tamil theatre fraternity.
What is the basic requirement to be a successful theatre, serial or cinema artist?
Hariharan B
Tiruchi
First and foremost, family support. Without encouragement it’s not easy to pursue your passion. I was lucky on that front. After my parents, my wife and daughter have been pillars of support.
Which of your plays is the closest to your heart?
K.V. Sankaranarayanan
Chennai
In a span of 21 years, United Visuals Team has produced 18 plays, including the latest ‘Sri Thyagarajar’. I love each one of them and salute my scriptwriters. After every show of ‘Sri Thyagarajar’, we feel blessed to be doing the play.
Can you name any one play among those you watched in the past five years that you liked the most?
Swayam Prakash
Chennai
It’s only love for the medium and audience applause that keep theatre groups going. They spend their savings on it and hardly earn anything. Hence I don’t want to single out any one. I express my opinion when asked.
The future of theatre 20 years from now.
N.Sundararajan
Chennai
Bright. We should keep ourselves updated with the technical developments and the changing audience interests.
You choose to do plays with a message. Why?
Diwakar,
Bangalore.
Director K. Balachander would say, ‘every play must have a message, implicit or explicit.’ It should make the audience talk about it after they leave the hall. Also, I feel if you are trying to showcase a problem, it is good to talk about the solution too. The humour should be woven well into the storyline.
Do you think the audience for theatre has dwindled?
K. Narayanan,
Chennai
Well, times are changing but plays do find an audience throughout the year. Kartik Fine Arts’ Kodai Nataka Vizha gets a houseful crowd. I think the trend will continue.
How do you think you can get youngsters to watch plays?
N. Shankarkumar
Chennai
Due to increasing traffic, we need to identify venues in suburbs to widen the audience base.
Actually when I am staging a play, I do not think about the age group of the audience. I am only concerned about the response to the play and whether the hall is filled up or not.
‘Sri Thyagarajar’ is a commendable effort. But a suggestion here. Your neat crop of hair and clean shaven face are not in sync with the period in which he lived. Perhaps a tuft will make amends?
Lakshminarayanan,
Chennai
Thanks for your observation. Commitment to other projects do not permit me to grow a beard or tuft. Attachments become distractions, made worse by sweating. I would request you to set aside issues and continue to appreciate the positive aspects of the play.
