On any given day, A Dharmaraj is busy managing his security services firm in Thanjavur. But during Vaikunta Ekadasi festival (that was celebrated this year from December 22-23), he is back in his native village of Kasavalanadu Kollangarai, 21 km away from Thanjavur, to join his fellow residents in staging epic dramas from 10 pm to 5 am.
The amateur actors, who bill themselves as ‘Tamizhthaai Nataka Kalai Mandram’ are continuing a long-standing tradition that aims to keep devotees alert until the special prayers begin in the early hours of the morning. The highlight of the festival is the opening of the ‘Paramapadhavaasal’ at temples devoted to Lord Perumal in the early hours on the holy Ekadasi day. Communities have developed their own traditions to keep worshippers engaged until the temple rituals begin.
“Staging epic dramas overnight has been a common practice in our village for nearly 200 years. I started in a baalakan (boy) role at the age of seven; I am 57 now, and hope to carry on for as long as I can,” says Dharmaraj, who played Lord Yama, the God of Death, this year.
An actor gets his make-up done. | Photo Credit: R. Vengadesh
As per folk ritual, the roles in these plays – Sampoorna Ramayanam, Valli Thirumanam, Satyavaan Savitri and Rukmangathan Charitram – can only be essayed by men.
Male bastion
“All the males born in our village consider it a privilege to be part of the Vaikunta Ekadasi dramas. We begin rehearsals on the third Saturday of the Tamil month of Purattasi every year, which gives us around a month and a half to get ready for the festival,” says Dharmaraj.
A male artiste gets ready to play a female character at Kasavalanadu Kollangarai village near Thanjavur. | Photo Credit: R. Vengadesh
M Arun Kumar, 21, is a veteran of playing women’s roles. “I used to feel a bit embarrassed before, but now I am used to enacting women on stage. This year, I was Sita, Savitri and Mohini, doing both dialogues and singing. Once I am in my get-up, I just forget my fears and give it my best shot,” he says.
Keeping an eagle eye on props and costumes is make-up artist K Raja Raman, who also goes around with a shirt festooned with safety pins to help the actors get ready before showtime.
“Doing the make-up for drama artistes is my family profession. People book me for events in temples and churches,” says the 54-year-old. “The make-up takes around 15 minutes to do. The costume change needs a little more time, depending on whether it is a male or female character. I use dermatologically tested cosmetics, bought from suppliers in Tiruchi.”
Young artistes check their costumes before showtime at Kasavalanadu Kollangarai village near Thanjavur. | Photo Credit: R. Vengadesh
Public support
Despite the popularity of other forms of entertainment, the audience response to the troupe’s performances, held at a small open-air theatre built in 2002, has grown in recent years because of media exposure. “The funds come from well-wishers in and around the village. Unlike many troupes, we have not had money problems,” Dharmaraj says.
There have been other upgrades. From the ‘olai chuvadu’ (palm leaf manuscripts), play scripts have been computerised, and copies are printed whenever needed.
The troupe keeps scouting for talent among the village’s youth. “One could start as a buffoon, and then work his way up to the king’s role. Our aim is to keep the audience’s attention on the divinity in our lives during the auspicious occasion of Vaikunta Ekadasi. This is our small service to the people of our village, and to God,” says Dharmaraj.
