Review of ThRee Second Drama Production- "Kaatchi Pizhaigalo" on 28 April 2024 - One Word -"Brilliant" - One Suggestion-"Don't Miss It"

The last Sunday of April 2024,  amidst the scorching heat of the summer,  there was a wave of emotions,  a fall of rainfall like drops of happy tears for the theatre lovers of Chennai.    Despite my husband wanting it to give it a miss, due the IPL CSK match, I forced him saying that this will be worth watching than an IPL match, and he can always watch the match later.   Thank God,  the entire evening was worth the wait.   The house was full at Narada Gana Saba.  Kodai Nataka Vizha never disappoints and the play from none other than V.Sreevothsan and that too with star artists like M.V. Bhaskar and Lavanya Venugopal and team is a must watch for theatre enthusiast.

My curiosity grew high seeing the poster where Bhaskar walks with the stick behind Lavanya,  and I initially thought that he is going to play the role of a visually challenged person.   But trust me, Lavanya just killed the role with perfection.    It is not easy to act like a blind artist in a stage,  movies can have retakes, but on stage, it is the MOMENT.    Lavanya kept the innocent smile on the face throughout the drama,  the eyes depicting real visually challenged,  not a moment asking for sympathy of the audience, but the entire family and fraternity of doctors and lawyers in the play take you to their world for the next 1.5 hours. 

Introduction of the amazing CAST and CREW of this play 

Lavanya Venugopal & M.V.Bhaskar humbly present their second production " KAATCHI PIZHAIGALO "

On stage in order of appearance 

Bhaskar - Dr Shankar Ram,  

Srikrishnan - Mohan, 

Lavanya Venugopal - Manaswini, 

Lalitha Narasimhan - Tejaswini

Raksha - Akshaya , 

Ramesh - Dr. KAILASAM, 

Pothilingam  - Sathappan, 

Arjun,Prabhu,Madhukar Keshavan ( Research assistants)

Lights : Babu assisted by Yogesh 

Set Company : Saidai Kumar  Set Execution Shanmugam

Back stage management Arjun, Prabhu  and Madhukar

Poster support Disney and Monisha

Song sung by R Gayathri and Dakshin

Lyrics : Naachiyar Thirumozhi

Music : Dakshin

Written & directed by : V.Sreevathson based on the concept given by Badri Venkatesh

The PLOT

The story begin with Dr Shankar Ram and his lawyer friend Mohan talking about the casual routine of Mohan and the habits he is addicted to.  Beside the portrayal of the character differently, during the course of the play,  Mohan also makes his presence felt though his legal angel to the story and standing by his friend.    Lavanya enters as a blind wife Manasvini of Dr Shankar Ram, a character that takes you to her world with ease, depicting the intellectual brilliance of the differently challenged, the power of their other senses,  the way they can lead a near normal life without the sympathy of others.   

Couple of soul-stirring and politically correct Vs incorrect thought process were highlights.  

The introduction of  Akshya, daughter of Dr Shankar and Manasvini is beautiful.  Her love story with the son of a DK politically influenced man Sathappan brings in a beautiful connect between ideologies, two different people in faith, trust and belief systems,  the contrasting conditioning, traditions, rituals and beliefs.   The man in black, is white in heart, and  you will see during the course of the play when he chants pasurams with ease, calling everyone respectfully and the dialogues between a religious father vs an atheist non-believer is amazing.   

The story has a very ethically deepened situation, where an Ophthalmologist who spent close to 2 decades in research to come with the invention that would show sight to the visually challenged wife from birth and his emotional bonding with his wife, who otherwise is healthy and happy except that fact that she could not see.   There is resistance from rest of the family, risk that is unknown and questionability from the medical and legal fraternity on the need for such risky experimentation on human beings and that too on his own family member.    Dr saying that the "Longest wait is for the biggest Satisfaction'' throws a lot of light on the fact that good things come for those who know to wait.

The Project Thesis naming after Kannappa Nayyanar was thoughtful... the first donor of eyes to Lord Shiva and this donation is for the longer vision....larger than what a normal human mind can imagine.   

When asked what all she want to see once she gets eye sight and that too for a half hour,  a mother shows her emotion that she wants to see her daughter's wedding.... her parents photo and her wedding photo, Dr Badrinath photo, her sister Teju's wedding photo and Thailavar.  

When Dr asks her why she did ask to see Lord Shiva,, she says it is an emotion..he is everywhere and formless and seeing Sivan is possible only through Realization..   Brilliant dialogues and then the way she says she wants to see "Thalaivar" and Basha movie interval scene, the audience roared in laughter and happiness

Few dialogues like intellect is beyond colour, creed and vision, and that God is supreme,  and culture and traditions  are way of life and love is blind hit you deep.  

When Dr asks her what she wants to see when she gets eye sight, does she want to see him,  his family, etc etc,  Manasvini tells that she will decide on what all she wants to see, and Dr can decide on how to make her see!  a very beautiful way of giving a consent to her soul-mate and life -partner.

Tejashvini and Manasvini bond is portrayed so beautiful, that sisterhood is a bond beyond sympathy, situation and beyond the situational, ethical, legal and medical grounds, it is filled with care, concern and genuine love.   Both Lalitha and Lavanya nailed it with ease living their characters.  The way Manasvini convinces her sister that risk is everywhere, even in the car she drives, so why not accept that in research, shows the bond, the depth without hurting anyone in the process and way of making her understand her stance.  The courage Manasvini gets from her sister,  right from childhood, portrays a beautiful relationship.  

When Dr mentions that he is not ok to get his daughter marry a boy from an atheist family and says that they are not equal,  Manasvini asks what is bothering, whether economical or social equality.   He replies "in principles' they are different.  But the same Dr, understands that the relationships are beyond any grounds of differentiators, when love, and even the so called non-believers have trust in the existence of Supreme and they are only non-believing because they believe in such existence.   As a writer, I am struggling to write this beautiful dialogues, but when you see it on the stage, you will be mesmerised with the way, both the fathers accept each other in end and stay for each other even before marriage.   Love and care, ideologies and beliefs very beautifully portrayed.   

Few dialogues, on the saying of no to Hindi,  the love for black, both the clothes and the coffee,  and emphasis on the fact that situation is the king for every selection, including elections.....the audience applauded the dialogues and flawless perfection.   Situation is God.

Coming to the final 2 scenes, there is hope, there is fear, there is love, there is ethical concerns,  there is an ardent search for HIS hands in the long lasted research and Ramesh Sir as Dr Kailasam equally stole the show here.   

Raksha as Akshya, was a strong representation of the youth today.  She did her role perfectly well.   Even the research assistants quietly did their part perfectly well.  Pothilingam sir as Sathappan and Raksha as Akshya equally captured the audience hearts.   Srikrishnan as Mohan and Lalitha as Tejaswini, will also be remembered as the wonderful supporting cast

Sets, music, lights, make-up, costumes and back stage management, props, all went with the flow of the drama so beautifully making this a drama to stay for long.   Best of the season so far and a real treat to the theatre audience.  Gayathri and Dakshin did their best to the songs and music.  and how can we even review an growing Everest in the Tamil Theatre World V.Sreevathson sir.     Sreevathson is a blessing to Tamil Stage.  

I am sure, this drama deserves lot of awards and recognitions.  Best of the recognition will be the number of times, this play will be staged.  And best is that there is no hatred, no hurtful dialogues,  no sympathy tears,  and with light political satire, perfect timing of dialogues, the voice modulations, the flawless acting and expressions, create an emotional bonding with the play

Few things that they can take care of ,  is the volume of the sound system that can be bit more, as it was not audible in few places.    The 2 sets that switch between the play can be improvised with lighting.   Also the concept that she will have vision after the injection only for 30 minutes was not clear to the audience.  But these are small things when compared to the great message the play provides. 

Long live Tamil Theatre

Long live thRee Creations

Long live artists like M V Baskar and Lavanya Venugopal

Long live script writers and directors like Sreevathson.  

Final words:

If you are a drama lover, and tamil theatre enthusiast, don't miss this play.   A wholesome, engaging and heart fulfilling drama.     

The dialogues on politics, atheism,  family values, ideologies and society interlinking and ethical research will be remembered for long.  Every actor of this play did with perfection and sure to grab the judges attention.   

Highlight was the love of the couple- the Dr and Manasvini, how gracefully they celebrate each other and their wishes and thoughts, complimenting each other throughout the play.

For this drama, I am sure the writer did a good amount of research,  and also adequate search of the characters to bring out the best.   Dialogue writing at its best!

Best is the climax,  like a Balachander or Manirathnam movie, leaving the climax to the viewer discretion.   Had it been a movie, it is just right place to stop for a sequel!

Dedicated this review post also to the great memory of Dr Badrinath and the amazing work that is getting done at Shankar Nethralaya.   

"Blind are not those who don't have sight,  but those who have no insight or real vision in life".

Congratulations team thRee Creations and "KAATCHI PIZHAIGALO"

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Few pictures from my gallery!

“ Paayum Oli” - New Drama from production house "thRee" n Chennai Theatre space that is here to stay and make its mark!!!

"All the worlds a stage, we are all players!!!"   Theatre is the lap of Goddess Saraswathi.  The medium is used to educate, create awareness,  bring in talents, spread knowledge and entertain and educate the masses.   

From times immemorial,  the medium of theatre and drama had influenced the thinking of the mankind.  They have injected quite a few deep rooted thoughts that can change the perspectives of various people.    Theatre became a strong force during our freedom struggle.   It was used to motivate, encourage and rage people towards the spirit of independence.   Such is the power of this medium

Of late, theatre has been overtaken by television and OTT platforms.  However,  the passion of the few is what is making this performing art form survive, thrive and succeed.   There are no retakes in Theatre, and the homework have to be perfect.   There is no repeat for dialogues..so the diction, dialogue and language, have to be in sync and as expected.   There is no time for heavy make up or new costumes,  theater artists have to change in fraction of seconds before the next scene.   

It is live audience and you can either get their blessings or brick bats if there are intolerable flaws.   It needs lot of planning, perfect execution,  capturing script, right actors,  acceptable language and above all, a powerful story to glue the audience to the seats.   

When you have all of the above said, to perfection for a full packed audience (who are ardent theater lovers and critics/enthusiasts ) in a big sabha like Naradha Gana Sabha -  You are doing something right!!!  Yes.  That is the exact feeling that I and rest of the audience around me had watching the new kid in the  block "  Paayum Oli"

First Production from "ThRee"  -  Paayum Oli presented by Lavanya and Bhaskar:

My good friend Lavanya Venugopal and M.V. Bhaskar's own Production House "ThRee" came up with their maiden production on 27 April 2023 as part of the Kodai Nataka Villa at NGS.      The audience were enthralled to watch on stage,  Bhaskar, Lavanya, Sukanya, Subbu,  Jayanthi, Paramesh, Naren and Arjun.   

The entire play set in 2 households, was brilliantly executed with the support of Lights by Babu and Yogesh.   Though there is one constant set,  Set Shanmugam has proved that less is more, with the perfect setting of the living rooms.    As the play move from one scene to the other, you see a flaw less execution with the amazing backstage support by Arjun, Thendral, Vicky and Madhukar.     There is one poster for the play.  A rather powerful one created Disney and Monisha.   The music by Daskhin and songs sung by R. Gayathri and Dakshin add to the captivating moments of the play.   The lyrics of Mahakavi Bharathy was put to the right and great use.  

The man behind this master-blaster is none other than V. Sreevathson who wrote and directed the script.    The end result can only be nothing but success.   For Sreevathson is the best craftsman and knows his art pretty well.   The dialogues are powerful just like the story.   He knows to extract the best out of every artist.  Especially if you have Lavanya, on stage, what less can you ask for.    She is a director's artist.   She does it with ease, poise and perfection.   You should watch this play without fail to believe what I say here!!!  You will not be disappointed for sure!!!

The Plot -  The Story -  The Message!

In a traditional "Ponnu Pakkara "  Scene - where the groom with his widowed mother visits the girl's house for match making.   Both the families discuss and the girl and boy meet.  However, there comes no spark and the bell does not ring between both of them.    And in a very amicable way, the families communicate that the boy is not interested and the girl's family moves on with the next match finding.     The father and daughter share a very transparent, open and cordial relationship where they share day to day things and also appreciate each other's feelings and emotions.     The widowed mother, however hesitates to be open to her son as the boy has his own emotions to deal with and cannot fathom the loneliness his mother is going through.    The dialogues of the grandmother, keeps the audience in splits and thinking.    She did her role fantastically well and the girl's uncle also does it with ease and elegance.

The artists literally lived in their roles.    Over a period,  girl's father (Shatruganram) and the boy's mother ends up in a phone friendship.   They spend time talking lot of things that interest them from food, lifestyles, belief systems,  flash memories of their spouses and eventually,  a very subtle and beautiful bond builds with them.    This actually creates a sense of anxiety in the boy who is unable to understand the need for a companion for his mother who lost her husband and struggling with loneliness.    He tries to justify asking what the society would think,  what is appropriate and so on.    However, on the girl side,  the father is open and acknowledged the fact that he is in friendship with the boy's mother and would like to take it to the next level.    The family is emphatical and understanding.  

On confrontation,  the mother opens up like a volcano of emotions -  she tries to empathize with her son's questions,  her self-doubts and the need for her companionship.   She pours out on bringing out the fact on her sacrifices and thinking of the society around her.  However,  humanity and self-love is what is above all the societal pressures and she expresses it very deeply and clearly and the boy feels so overwhelmed in not understanding his mother earlier.      Eventually, things get lighter and the bond becomes firm and stronger and the plot ends  with both the families uniting to celebrate her birthday.   There comes a light at the stroke of midnight and this light is there to stay and enlighten the masses!!!

Message:

Truly a heart-warming message.   I have seen the need for the companion when the spouse passes away in middle age and there is so much of life left for the other one.   Society sympathizes with them, define rules that do not belong to them,  create a cob-web around what is right and what is not and the sole victim is the person who lost their life- partner.   No matter what children or families do, there is still a strong emotional vacuum that is left unfulfilled in many people who struggle with loneliness.     

These kind of drama's with messages of social-reforms are needed even today.   It was some decades ago that social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy advocated widow remarriages and brought in abolition of sati and created reforms for new lease of life for widows.   It is more worst when a man remains single after losing his wife.  The trouble is actually multiplied.   

This is when the society need to understand that we are no body to define the rules for others and let every one live the way that actually makes them happy and be at peace.  Especially children who are self-centered these days need consideration but at the same need not slay down the lives only for them.  It is ok to live what makes us happy.  It is ok to find love again.   It is ok to get into a relationship again.   It is actually ok to remarry if that is the need.  It is ok to find a companion and stay sane in life than struggle in depression and vacuum.      This drama definitely makes it clear and says it loud.    This is the kind of reformical thought provoking messages we need.    Paayum Oli proudly bring out this message to the masses and that is the beautiful reason why this drama is a hit and will be a running success!!!

Kudos to the entire cast and crew and my special thanks to Lavanya Venugopal for extending the invitation for me to watch and cherish this play.    Wishing the team great success on their future endeavors.    God bless!

#AtoZChallenge: Inspiring Indian Women : L for Lavanya Venugopal

#AtoZChallenge:  Inspiring Indian Women : L for Lavanya Venugopal

What makes Lavanya a super inspiring women ?

She is an excellent dancer, wonderful social worker,  stage capturing theater artist, wonderful comperor, a passionate cook, an affectionate wife and mother, chief guest at many functions, a great friend and above all a great human being.   Sometimes, you feel that she is all over the place.  Pride of Nanganallur, Chennai..

She is an amazing ISO of Inner Wheel Club of Nanganallur and a very active Rotarian at Rotary Club of Chennai Spotlight.  As a dancer is par excellent and considers her performance in front of Late Chief Minister Selvi J.Jayalalithaa to be her one of the finest moments.  Lavanya is a person with big smile always.   A student of Holy Angels and she has been an excellent product of the school and her college days.

She is also Chennai Pink Ambassador advocating Breast Cancer awareness along with the Pinkathon crusade.  She also holds the position of Sergeant - At-Arms at Rotary Club of Chennai Spotlight.   A very enthusiastic social worker along with the clubs associated and a very sensitive human being.   For her dance comes naturally,   theater action comes with passion and have a strong voice and stage control during dialogue delivery.   She has been aptly awarded for her drama performances and she is a well known face in the Chennai Cultural circles.  

References
http://emjayreviews90.blogspot.in/2016/06/the-dramaic-arts-spread-name-accolades.html
https://www.facebook.com/lavanya.venugopal.1?lst=1300759519%3A100000594691024%3A1491716614
http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/yw/2005/11/25/stories/2005112500770600.htm
http://rotary3230.in/14-15/view_profile.php?user_id=6729