Why does the eagle circle high up in the sky? Why is the hen constantly scratching at the earth? Why does the snake shed its skin regularly? Did you know that all these questions are connected? But let’s put out a disclaimer first: This article is not about the science behind these questions. In fact the answers have nothing to do with science but everything do with a 96-year-old Tamil writer.
Ki Rajanarayanan’s folktakes are well-known across the state. In 2017, Chennai-based theatre group Perch began a storytelling performance based on some of his stories. Ki Ra Kolambu has been such a hit that “it has been performed 68 times across the state and 19 shows have been held in Coimbatore,” says Ravindra Vijay of Perch. He attributes the popularity to “first, the universality of Ki Ra’s stories. Whether it’s an urban audience in Bangalore or the tribes of the Nilgiris, they all get it. In fact the Nilgiri tribes said these were very similar to the stories that they tell. Second, it is very physical and performative but simple in form. Third, we engage the audience. It is interactive from the very beginning.”
(From left) Anand Sami, Maya S Krishnan and Ravindra Vinay
Last Saturday, at the lawns of Sreevatsa Lunch Box, Ravindra, Anand Sami and Maya S Krishnan kept the audience laughing at not just their antics but also at their clever word play and pot-shots at current events. The narration was non-linear and the actors moved seamlessly between the different episodes. This was “storytelling as its most basic, as Ravindra put it. All they needed was a piece of cloth, which did duty as wings, as a turban, as a swing ... A bench was the only other prop. Want to show devas in heaven... stand on the bench. Vishnu on the ocean of milk... just spread yourself out. Up in the tree... jump up again. For the rest, it was body language, songs, dances and the sheer wonder of storytelling.
The language was a mix of Tamil and English, simple, and relatable. One little girl sitting right in front would break into infectious chuckles that had the audience joining in as well. The humour too ranged from sophisticated puns, sly digs at politics and scatalogical jokes.
The audience was invited to join in on a chorus, reminded about sundry characters and kept involved right through. So much so that when I was talking to a friend two days later, he said, “My kids are still making bird noises from Ki Ra Kolambu .”
Interacting with a member of the audience
Once they stepped off the stage, the actors patiently answered questions from kids and adults alike and posed for selfies with their fans over dinner provided by the resturant.
Having done so many shows, how do the performers keep the momentum going? Ravindra says that in terms of reaching out, they have only touched the tip of the iceberg. “There are so many unexplored areas that we would like to take this to,” he said, adding, “we also renew it for ourselves with some slight changes and improvisations. After every 10 or 15 shows, we sit with the director and try to refresh something. Small small tweaks and changes to keep it fresh.”
The event was presented by Udalveli and Anjaraipetti. Those interested in staging Ki Ra Kolambu in Coimbatore can contact Udalveli at 9486819093 or 8608644443
A storyteller par excellence
PIC. FOR METRO PLUS: Ki. RAJNARAYANAN. PHOTO- K V SRINIVASAN
Ki Rajanarayanan, also known as Ki Ra, was born in a village near Kovilpatti in 1922.
His full name was Rayangala Shri Krishna Raja Narayana Perumal Ramanujam Naicker, which he shortened to Ki Rajanarayanan.
He dropped out of school in the seventh standard.
His first published short story was Mayamaan in 1958. He won the Sahitya Akademi award for his Gopallapurathu Makkal in 1991.
He collected folk tales from around Kovilpatti, which were published in 2007 as Nattuppura Kadhai Kalanjiyam . An English translation by Pritham K Chakravarthy, Where Are You Going, You Monkeys?, was published in 2009.
