Talk satire, think Cho, and that’s been it. After him Tamil theatre has rarely had a parody that packs a punch on present day politics and makes audiences laugh their lungs out. Maham Enterprises tries charting the satirical course, with its latest play, ‘E. Va. Ka.’ Its burlesque angle is a complete surprise. For Poovai Poongodhai (Madhuvanti Arun), the president of E. Va. Ka., corruption is a way of life,. A hardcore and avaricious politician, she is gearing up for the Assembly polls. She tries every ploy from taking the help of a fake religious guru to black magic and more. ‘Kurukku Buddhi Kumar,’ (Sureshwar) whose death gets delayed by 30 days due to a freakish phenomenon, is her partner in deceit. But do these efforts lead her to victory?
As Kumar in his final harangue laments, if we have unscrupulous leaders, the dishonest voter who unabashedly takes money for his vote is also a culprit. Only that Kumar’s speech is preachy, a tad melodramatic, and tires us after a point. The serious turn in the last few minutes doesn’t quite jell with the fun sessions that precede it.
Throughout the hilarity we also perceive the underlying current of sham, insensitivity and shamelessness of power-obsessed leaders, and laymen.
Madhuvanti’s appreciable stage presence and the confidence she exudes lend authenticity to her role (The speed at which she changes costume is incredible!)
No marks for guessing who the leaders spoofed are – the take-offs are too obvious. But the best among them is K.L. Mahesh as Winner Vetrivel – he apes the idiosyncrasies of a political bigwig and has us in stitches. The panel discussion at the TV studio with Thangaraj Pavadey as the moderator provides some ticklish moments.
God men, voodooists, riffraff … Tamil plays have had them all. E. Va. Ka, written by G. Radhakrishnan and directed by S. Sureshwar, has them too. But what’s different is that it has a female protagonist who can take jokes on herself, the cast’s distinct mimicking skills and good-humour that makes the viewer part of the proceedings.
Today jibes in plays are few. Batting on a safe pitch of family sentiment and middle-class scenarios seem hassle-free for most of our troupes, probably, barring TVV’s recent revival of Cho’s ‘Endru Thaniyum Indha Sudhandhira Dhaagam.’ E.Va. Ka. fills the void and provides some levity.
(E.Va. Ka shows this weekend (Aug 20 & 21) 7 p.m. will be at German Hall, T. Nagar.)
