UAA’s ‘3 JI,’ premiered in the past weekend under the auspices of Mylapore Fine Arts Club, has a lot going for it. A strong script, taut narrative, witty dialogue and acting that borders on the casual work in favour of the play, which is UAA’s 66th in its 67th year. It has been dedicated to the late Brinda. The troupe has adapted itself to changing times and tastes to stay relevant for six decades. Never known for maudlin stories, UAA’s strength has been substance beneath the humour and banter. In ‘3JI,’ written by Chitralaya Sriram, the past and the present interplay to find clues for the future.
Scene from ‘3JI’
Perfect combo
So where does the guard head? To his friend Manickam, aide to a politician (Suppini). The idea is to join his party and make money. The trio provides the perfect combination for a spoof. Diminutive Suppini, the old war horse of the UAA stable, sets the political tone convincingly. The writer milks the situation to the optimum level, taking a dig at politicians, their greed, callousness, etc. “Have you been to jail, booked for beating up people,” asks the politician. That is prerequisite one to join the party. “Are you a bootlegger,” comes the second question. However, Damu having multiple spouses makes up for any shortcoming and he is inducted.
Cut to ‘India Apartment,’ where Damu makes a dramatic entry, Manickam in tow, to the surprise of Meenakshi and Co. He has bought the vacant apartment, which is said to be haunted, and will contest the Association election. A derisive Meena challenges him to occupy the house before jumping into the fray. Damu has no choice and drags Manickam along.
Spooky noises, creaking doors and moving objects — the music and visual effects come across well — leave the new tenants shaking and out of thin air emerges Mahatma Gandhi, stick and pocket watch in tact. The encounter provides ample scope for humour, drawn of course from current affairs. “How is Amma, up there?” “Oh, she is fine.” “Did she have idlis?” And YGP continues to do what he loves — enacting plays. From sharing waters and Italian supremacy to hijacking the IPL, the script mines the sorry state of the common man for punch lines. The audience laps up every bit. The reaction of the duo when Gandhiji offers to be their consultant speaks volumes of the waning respect for his values.
How is it possible to contest an election, let alone win, on Gandhian lines of ahimsa and truth? Damu wants to get rid of him. But the Mahatma has made up his mind — he wants to test the validity of his principles and this election would be a good indicator.
The plot thickens when Subhash Chandra Bose explodes on the scene to help Meenakshi. Gandhiji-Netaji-Damuji make up the 3JI as the title song by V. Balasubramanian indicates. Interestingly, the Gandhi-Bose element is used to address some niggling issues of that period. For instance, was Gandhi opposed to Bose? Were they rivals? History’s pages are turned when the two actually meet to discuss the wonderful equation that they shared. Apart from the banter, these situations are used to recap the freedom struggle and underscore patriotism, which propelled both these front line fighters to put the nation above everything else.
Poignant climax
Who wins the election — Damu, backed by the soft but straight approach of the Mahatma or Meenakshi, whom Bose has been inspiring with his thunderous declamations? The result leaves the erstwhile security guard, now a Gandhi follower, thoroughly confused. The twist in the tail leads to a poignant climax. The audience is spontaneously on its feet when the call comes for the National Anthem — nice touch and fitting for a play like this. When was the last time people stood at attention for the anthem, one wondered.
Both the writer and the director have walked the tight rope, successfully. With much of the space taken up by two freedom fighters, there is every possibility of the proceedings sliding into a tiresome drone of preaching. Ragav as the calm and composed Gandhiji and Ramchandra Rao as the firebrand Bose do justice to the tall characters they represent etching dignified portraits. Mahendra’s timing — man defies age with his expressions and modulations — carries the play on his shoulders. R. Balaji as Manickam does not lag behind. His body language and Madras lingo are a treat to watch.
Chitralaya Sriram as Nostalgia Natarajan and Partha Balaji as Palakkad Paddu add variety. Koushika as Meena is breezy. Natural in her action and reaction. With Jayachandran as Mohan they make a fine pair. The henpecked husband provides fodder for Bose’s ire. With his deadpan expression and staccato utterances, Jayakumar as Manikandan cuts an unusual cameo. Young Veda and Krishnan (Francis and Bobby) bring a welcome dose of frivolousness to the proceedings. Kalairavi and Guhaprasad in charge of lights and music effects make their presence felt.
The tasteful sets of Padma Stage Kannan take excellent care of the ambience quotient. Y.G. Mahendra has dramatised, improvised and directed the play.
UAA will stage ‘3JI’ on June 2 and 3, 7 p.m., at the Narada Gana Sabha Main Hall
