You could either brood over missed opportunities or make the most of what comes your way. Brinda, Tamil stage veteran, exemplifies the latter. She stands tall in the Tamil theatre circuit, with more than three decades of experience and innumerable stage performances the world over.
“As a member of Y.Gee. Mahendra’s UAA, the only country I may not have travelled to is Russia,” she laughs. As we settle down for a conversation at the UAA office in T. Nagar, she exudes camaraderie like a long-known friend!
The list of awards that have come her way is long - – Kalaimamani, Vani Kala Nipuna, Wisdom, Life time Achievement recognitions from Parthasarathy Swami Sabha and others, Bharat Kalachar’s Nataka Kala Bharati … Brinda has worked with all prominent stage troupes over the years from ‘Heron’ Ramasamy and R.S. Manohar to ‘Kathadi’ and ‘Crazy,’ but for more than a decade now, she has confined herself to UAA.
“The best thing about YGM is that he recommends his troupe members for suitable roles in television serials and cinema. He is happier than we are, when the audience lauds our performance,” she says. But I’ve heard that he is a martinet at rehearsals. “That’s true too. If we don’t do well, we’ve had it. However, all of us understand the intention behind his chastisement,” she laughs.
Hailing from Srirangam, she was named Thulasi. “It was our family doctor Shekar, who changed it to Brinda,” she recalls. Her astuteness and charm as a child made her an important part of shows and plays in the temple town. Nawab Rajamanickam Pillai introduced her to the stage, as Bala Iyyappan. Her father, who worked at the Srirangam Temple, was very proud of his daughter’s prowess and put her under dance gurus there, where she learnt Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi.
When the precocious three-year old ensconced herself on the lap of the VIP sitting in the first row of a wedding and refused to get off his lap, he sent for the father and suggested that he take her to Madras and bring her up as his own daughter. But the doting father refused. The VIP was MGR!
“If only I had come down then, life would have been so very different,” she shrugs. “What has to come one’s way will! I am happy with my lot and the audience’s response is the best gift.” She has worked in around 15 films. “None of them were great roles,” she candidly states. She met MGR who offered her a job at Sathya Studios, “but I was more interested in films then.”
For Brinda, her arranged marriage with Venkatraman, a Company Executive, proved a boon. “Till date he encourages me. In fact, he was restless till I got ready to come over here for this interview,” she laughs. Drama, serial or rehearsal, always be punctual, he advises her. The couple has a daughter studying in Pune.
“In Kathadi’s ‘Dowry Kalyana Vaibogamey’ I’ve played all three female parts – Uma, Gowri and Rushyendramani.” Interestingly, Brinda mentions every character she has played, with the names. “Stage actors need terrific memory,” she chuckles. It’s well known that for Nitya, Anandhi and Brinda, a few hours suffices to learn even reams of dialogue.
Several roles that Brinda has played have been memorable. Her characters in ‘Kavala Kavala,’ ‘Irandaam Ragasiyam’ and ‘Soppana Vaazhvil’ are cases in point. Recently, replicating Manorama’s role in ‘Kasedhaan Kadavaluda,’ as the proud, dominating wife, is garnering laurels. In ‘Pareetchaikku Naeramaachu,’ Brinda plays the part of the neighbour – one that was so well essayed by Manorama in the film. “I can never forget her encouragement. ‘You can pull it off, Brinda,’ she would tell me.” Brinda was overwhelmed when Rajnikanth, who never misses a UAA play, walked up to her after a ‘Sudhesi Iyer’ show and complimented her. “‘I’ve played a role in your film, ‘Aaru Pushpangal’ Sir,’” I told him.”
Week-ends are for theatre and serial roles keep her busy on other days. “I entered UAA with the TV serial, ‘Mr. Brain,’” she recalls. “‘Typist’ Gopu put me on to YGM.” An A Grade artist with AIR and Doordarshan, theatre actor and dubbing artist in films and serials, Brinda also gives voice-overs for audio recordings of agencies like Santhome Communications. “I like working continuously. The only role I rejected was recently for a film, which needed a 45-day call-sheet. I can’t be away from home that long, she explains.”
“Just one request,” Brinda says as I take leave. “Please mention that my husband is a pillar of support. Without him I can’t be doing so many things at a time.”
