The opening was impressive with all the actors and technicians of Fathima Babu’s drama group FABS lining up on stage with a candle after offering flowers to a huge portrait of director K. Balachander.
Chitralaya Sriram (son of the celebrated Chitralaya Gopu and the late Kamala Sadagopan, well-known Tamil novelist) has penned the story and dialogue for ‘Thaarama Tally-aa’ and has lived up to the reputation he has earned as a playwright. Though the play has many serious moments, it is also laced with humour.
The play revolves round the life of a student of chartered accountancy. The humour is spun around his several attempts to clear the examination and other related incidents effectively in this 100-minute play.
Fathima Babu as the director had ensured that there was not a dull moment. As Radha, clad in a nine-yard sari, she played her role with ease. Her dialogue delivery at times reminded one of Sukumari in Cho’s play ‘Mohammed Bin Thuglak’. The scene, where Fathima spoke in the Madras lingo, was delightful. Balaji Sundar, who made his stage debut with this play, was equally good as her husband Pattimandra Parthasarathy.
The peace of the Parthasarathy household is disturbed by the entry of Indra (Pooja) and her father Nehru (Suganthan). They claim that Indra is in a live-in relationship with Anirudh (Aneesh), the eldest son of the house, who has been struggling to clear his CA exams.
The two take the family head on leading to serious and funny situations. Pooja came across well as a haughty and defiant young woman while the father impressed with his flair for wit. It is irony of sorts with the family praying for Anirudh’s failure as Indra comes up with the condition that she will not marry him if he passes but will continue with the live-in relationship.
Finally when the results are out, Anirudh clears the exam and the entire family is in a joyous mood forgetting Indra’s vow.
But soon they realise that the two will not marry now and continue with their relationship. However, the play ended with a twist.
Vathsala David as the absent-minded mother of Parthasarathy, Ramprasath (auto driver) and Karthik as Anirudh’s brother all chipped in with noteworthy performances.
