For theatre aficionados who missed out on the grandeur of Nawab T.S. Rajamanickam Pillai and R.S. Manohar on earlier occasions, here is another chance to see the command of classical Tamil theatre through the Magic Lantern Theatre’s adaptation of Kalki’s ‘ Ponniyin Selvan’ .
Produced by S.S. International, the play effectively combines the nuances of proscenium theatre and smartness of folk and street theatre. Sometimes performing on a bigger stage becomes risky when there is plenty of empty space on stage to cover. But kudos to the technical crew and the director, the effective positioning of actors and use of spot lights minimised the risk.
The play opens with festivities and temple procession and gradually shifts to the intense political discussions at Kadambur where the chieftains plot to bi-furcate the Chola Kingdom and crown Mathuranthaka, son of Gangaraditya and Sembiyan Mahadevi. They also get the nod of the bed-ridden King Sundara Chola. But heir-apparent Aditya Karikala opposes the move and wants a unified kingdom. Aditya sends his trusted lieutenant Vandhiyathevan with a communiqué to his father King Sundara Chola and sister Kundavai, who wants her younger brother Arulmozhivarman to comeback from Ceylon to settle the public unrest and take over the reigns. Meanwhile estranged Pandiya princess Nandhini hatches a conspiracy to avenge the death of her father Veerapandiyan. She calls Aditya to Kadambur Palace where Aditya gets killed mysteriously. When everyone expects Arulmozhi to get crowned after the untimely death of his elder brother, he crowns his uncle Mathuranthaka as the King of Chola Empire and the play ends there.
Credit should go to Kumaravel for brilliantly compressing the complex plot structure and sub-plots to a four-hour play. The grandeur of the Chola Fort, well choreographed dances, fierce sword fights, impressive performances of the actors, romance of Vandhiyathevan and serene-looking Kundavai are the highlights of the play. With an attractive and mischievous smile on face Sri Krishna Dayal as Vandhiyathevan steals the show.
“It is mutually enriching, for me, my actors and technicians,” says Pravin Kannanur, the director of the play. Pazhani Murugan who dons the role of Parthiba Pallavan, deserves mention for the bundle of energy that he was on stage. “Hailing from the renowned Therukoothu family of Purisai Kannappa Thambiran, he is also in charge of voice training for the actors and martial arts,” he says.
One could feel the pangs of Nandhini through the eyes of Meera who was at her best expressing vengeance against the Cholas while Preethi Athreya, who plays Kundavai, was a perfect foil for Nandhini. Both Meera and Preethi Athreya are well trained classical dancers. “Preethi also helped us in designing the costumes for the play. A student of renowned classical dancer Dhananjeyan, she did it effortlessly,” says Pravin.
Prabhu Mani as Aditya Karikalan filled the stage with his authoritative presence. “He came to us not knowing much about theatre though the interest was there. He is an expert in Parkour, an urban sport developed from military obstacle course training, he brings over his professionalism,” he says.
Popular film art director Thotta Tharani has designed the sets for the play.
The play has been brought to Temple Town by the Rotary Club Madurai Central Foundation to raise funds for its project ‘Shakthi’ that seeks to promote education of underprivileged girl children. The proceeds of the play will go for building toilets and other basic amenities and providing child-care help in rural and semi-urban schools.
The success of Ponniyin Selvan play has paved way for opportunities in foreign countries. “We have got offers from Malaysia, Singapore and Australia,” says Pravin, It is just the question of time before it happens.
The play is staged at Lakshmi Sundaram Hall on May 16 and 17. For donor pass contact 9842428787.
