“Theatre should disturb”

Tamil theatre can be a powerful social tool and has so much to offer, but sadly it has been given a short shrift says Dharani Dharan

Theatre for change: Dharani Dharan

I have not eaten the whole day,” says Dharani Dharan, actor and founder of Uruveli, a theatre company in Coimbatore. Sun-tanned and haggard, the dhoti-clad actor has just returned from addressing students at SNR College, where he spoke about the universality of Tamil theatre.

Nevertheless he is full of beans because this is his pet topic. Five minutes into our conversation, he launches into theories propounded by international theatre personalities Ariane Mnouchkine and Jerzy Grotowski. “The character of the clown, so integral to our Therukoothu, was a revelation for Ariane Mnouchkine, whose workshop I attended in Puducherry. She was fascinated by our concept of the jester. In Europe, there are schools specialising in clown acts. That’s why I feel Tamil theatre is universal.”

Dharani says he will do anything to rejuvenate theatre in the city. He takes workshops for children in Government schools and brings internationally renowned artistes for Uruveli’s programmes. “There are no boundaries in theatre. I invite musicians, sculptors and even chefs!” he smiles. It is all inter-connected, he says. An actor must learn to sing, dance and act, he declares.

Dharani is bringing

Neer Nadodigal (Nomads of the water), a production by Manal Magudi Theatre Land, a Chennai-based theatre team to Coimbatore this weekend. “I am a part of the team and have acted in their productions. I happened to watch Neer Nadodigal , performed by students of the Drama Club of PSG College of Arts and Science. It was directed by S.Murugaboopathy. I saw actors moved to tears by the end of the performance. I knew I had to bring it to the city again; this time for the public.”

A fresh set of actors of the Drama Club, under the mentorship of their Tamil professor Dr. Ramraj, will present the play that captures the horrors of the Chennai floods. Says Ramraj, “In our last production, we focussed on human suffering. This time, we also speak of the animals that were caught in the floods. We also speak of people’s isolation.” Watching the rehearsals it is difficult not to be awestruck by the intensity of the actors and the rigorous use of their bodies in expressing the emotions.

At the end of the rehearsal, Dharani addresses the 30-member cast. “The audience must leave the hall, inspired to bring about change. Theatre should disturb,” he tells them.

He says he was moved by the commitment shown by the students. A few alumni from Bengaluru and Puducherry are travelling down to Coimbatore for the rehearsals. “I wish your other friends also helped you in publicising the event. I saw a few actors from the team distributing the pamphlets. That is not an actor’s job.”

Dharani feels there should be a good marketing team to handle publicity and take the play around the world. They have actively used social media to spread the word and posted updates and pictures under #SupportTamizhUniversalTheatre. Dharani plans to record the entire performance and send it to the National School of Drama.

Tamil theatre is acknowledged internationally, he says. “The founder of Poor Theatre, Jerzy Grotowski, was so inspired by the ritualistic tradition of Tamil Nadu that he went back to France and told his disciples that they too should do something similar where the audience too will be part of the performance.”

But he is saddened at how little theatre is valued back home. “I know of an 80-year-old Therukoothu stalwart, who travels 15 km to get a monthly stipend of Rs.1000 given by the government for under-privileged artistes. He thinks that is an honour! And, a Kollywood glamour doll is Kalaimamani! Such injustice!”

The team plans to use the proceeds from this production to help under-privileged Therukoothu artistes.

While people are ready to pay for stand-up comedy and English theatre, not many are keen to watch serious Tamil plays. Getting actors is the toughest job, says Dharani. “A few institutions give grants. But you need at least eight to nine actors to avail of that largesse. Being an actor is tough. You are usually expelled from your circle of family and friends. Theatre needs more backing. We must revive the culture of live arts and audience interaction, which are inherent in our traditional theatre.”

Quick Facts

Uruveli, Unique Events and ENAVNO Production presents Neer Nadodigal, directed by Dr.S. Murugaboopathy.

Venue: Nani Palkhivala Auditorium, Mani Higher Secondary School

Date & Time: August 27 from

6.00 p.m.

Tickets: Rs.500, Rs.300 and Rs.200 available at Pulam Publisher, Bharathi Puthagalayam and Vamshi Book House stalls at Codissia Trade Fair Complex, Cream Stone, Avanashi Road, and Jains Apartment, near SMS Hotel, Avanashi Road.

For more details call 9092653982, 9600968228 or visitfacebook.com/udalveli.