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!

Life History of Mahaperiyava- Tamil Stage Play - Dheivuthul Dheivam - Oct 2022

 #kanchipuram #Sankara #Periyava #musicacademy #celebrationofkanchiPeriyava #DeviathulDeivam #elangokumanan

Thanks to my beloved friend Karpagam Kumanan , we could once again immerce in the nectar called Kanchi Sankaracharya Sri Chandrasekarendra Swamigal life story, fondly called as Kanchi MahaPeriyava.

A three day festival brought to us by Elango Kumanan Sir n team this Oct 2022 at Music Academy , with more than 100 artists on screen n probably another 100 behind the screens.v.

A 3 hours of diving deep into the life of a Mahatma, takes you through several instances of his life, the secular fabric of our Nation, the adi shankara advaitha way of living, very delicately touching on several current affairs and ensuring all of us leave the Music Academy with a sense of belonging, happiness and devotion.

A must watch ...to enjoy several aspects of our life and celebrate who we are

Bhagwan Ramakrishna Paramahamsar from Madras Ladies Drama Group Trust & Bombay Gnanam- A review and a thank you!

Being Theatre enthusiasts and rasikas of Madras Sabhas and Cultural events, we take every possible opportunity on weekends to make it to the drama's and kutcheries in Chennai.  Today was no different as Raghu and I decided to go to MFAC for a relaxed sunday evening theater extravaganza from Madras Ladies Drama Group founded by Bombay Gnanam akka 30 golden years ago.  The last minute decision to make it, must have been his way of calling to know more about the great 'Paramahamsa'...Lord Ramakrishna and Sarada devi and Swami Vivekananda. 

The evening opened up with the opening remarks on the play from Gnanam akka and the way she introduced the story line, the artists and the effort to bring this to the masses itself was a goosebumps beginning.  The next 2 hours was a spiritual extravaganza...the inner awakening...and a kind of enlightenment.   We have been visiting Ramakrishna Mission temple and also been part of several of their charitable works in the past and Raghu being an ardent disciple of Vivekananda...this evening made us get much closer to Sri Ramakrishnar himself.   

There were moments of tears and happiness,  a inner contentment of knowing more about the early years of the great saint and his way of invoking Goddess Kali, the moments of inner bliss and absolute divine consciousness.   It was as if these ladies were taking us deeply into the life and history of Hinduism,  Lord Ramakrishna and his life, his teachings, his way of looking at life, his absolute self of truth and inner awakening.   His immense bhakthi that is not easy for ordinary minds to understand.   His way of understanding the Goddess and his deep sense of belongingness to the Almighty in the much mightier form of Maha Maa Kali.   

At one stage, we forget that it is the lady artists who are performing the roles of every male character on stage, and thanks to the costumes and props that actually take you to the era of Ramakrishnar.  Great work from Charu, Ragini, Mohan Babu and Shymala.  I am so happy to be knowing Ragini Praveen personally as a Inner Wheel friend.   Sets from Mohan Babu transforms to real Dakisheswar and makes you long to be there at the Maa Kaali temple.   My next trip to Dakishneswar Ramakrishna Mutt and Kali Maa temple in November will be making me surely reminiscence of this evening that actually took us to Kaali temple with ease with the sets that were so powerful and realistic.   

Lights from Mano Lightings and Govind actually give the right effects to the stage and for this level of magnanimous production, lights and sound play a major role.   Kannan and Saamy with their make up marks a different level of perfection, and not until the end during the introduction of the artists that you realize that there is no male artist on the stage and thanks to the precision in the make up by these great support from Kannan and Saamy..absolutely flawless.   

Songs set to tune by Suchitra Balasubramanian makes you literally stand up in reverence at many places during the play with the selection of songs and high level of devotional music.  You literally transfer yourself from MFAC to the banks of Dakishneswar temple and thanks to Suchitra's songs...and the background score and songs produced and arranged by Divakar Subramanian makes you thank him in abundance.  Thara Srinivasan's story research,  and Kamala Eswaran's role as Production Manager adds abundant value to this spectacular show.    Associate Director Padma Ganapathy, and Production team including Mohan, Padma and Dakshin, needs a special mention

Every artist gave in their best.  Especially Varsha, with her ligment tear did not mind pushing herself to done the role of Bhagwan Ramakrishna and she gave a stellar performance.   I could not sit in my chair at the end and rose in sheer bliss to clap for all of them with absolute happiness for having attended this show today.  Thank you team for this wonderful and mesmerizing journey taking us into the life story of Bhagwan Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsar.    Thank you so much

This is not a propaganda for Hinduism or Ramakrishna Mission...but a honest attempt to make you understand what real Hinduism is and the way of life of a Hindu and takes you into the lives of both Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda...Last words, please spread the message for more and more people to view this wonderful play and also financial support this troupe to bring us many more shows like this.   Go and enjoy the sheer bliss of Tamil Theater in its earnest effort to showcase the great life of Bhagwan Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.   Guruvey Saranam!

'Deivathul Deivam'- Tamil Stage Play from SS International Live - A Review

From the time I lived close to Ayodhya Mandapam in West Mambalam, Chennai, I always used to feel fascinated by the devotion of people on Mahaperiyava of Kanchi Acharyas.  As a devotee and it was this interest and devotion of the living saints of our times, I pinged Kumaran, son of Sri Elango Kumanan, Director- SS International Live who is the writer /Director of the Stage Play – Deivathul Deivam.  Kumaran and his mother Smt Karpagam were happy to share the passes for the show at Music Academy on 15 Jan 2018.    

It was the beginning to a spectacular extravaganza of devotion, dedication and delight to the eyes and sweet honey tones of sankara hara hara sankara to our ears.

It is a week-long celebration of the Kanchi Acharayas in its own way by the bhaktas.  There is no end to this surge of devotion and every minute of the 3 hour show is an indication of celebrating the life of a great man who lived amongst us.

The Life history of Mahaswami, the great Mahaperiyava Chandrasekarendra Swamigal, is presented through the play Deviathul Deivam, by close to 100 + artists and technicians working under the able guidance and leadership of Sri.Elango Kumanan.     I am sure SS International will have this as a biggest feather in their cap of success as they organized this drama – a delightful festival celebrating the saint with the blessings of Kanchi Acharaya and a gamut of well-wishers and devotees...    

The sets were equally spectacular and appropriate by none other than the designing genius Thotta Dharani.  Having hailed from the family of Art Director, A.K.Sekar, I could not stop admiring the beauty and reality of the sets that transformed the stage into the divine Kanchipuram and other areas where ever Sri Mahaperiyava has laid his golden footprints.    Having Mandolin U.Rajesh and Sri Rajesh Vaidya sitting few rows in front of us, along with so many other industry stalwarts, I could not stop admiring the spirit of devotion to the Kanchi mutt and dedication to the Tamil stage.

Right from the childhood/teenage to the various stages of life of Mahaperiyava, his transition from being a student to a saint, his softness, his simple and humble living, his high thinking, his deep understanding of his devotees, his breathtaking narratives of his times and relating to the future and today’s presence all added to the spectacle.  

The personal experiences of various people, irrespective of religion, age, caste, creed, rich, poor, men, women, has been very beautifully portrayed.  The Bangle seller, the poor lady, the muruku patti,  Sri Kalki Sadasivam and MS Amma couple, Padma Subramanyam , autograph student, judge, auditor, business man, various other devotees greeted, revered and respecting Mahaperiyava shows that he was beyond any kind of limitations.   To him, everyone was equal.  He never let anyone go empty handed.  Not to expect more than what is needed, is not just sanyasi stage, but a sense of contentment which leads to fulfillment in life.  The actors made the audience relive the moments of our experiences with the great saint. 

Thotta and Set Design goes hand in hand and there can be no flaws when it is the man behind the show.  It is just another feather in his cap.   For us audience, it is just another piece of excellence to witness.   The houses of Dindivanam,  the temples during travels of Mahaperiyava, the street lights, the beautiful set of the kanchi mutt,  the living room of the saint and the final scene of Kanakabishekam, the background screens, beautiful and timely lighting, very balanced sound added value to the play.   

Background music needs a special mention.   The music, the appropriate selection of songs, the music of the instruments, especially the piece played by none another than the genius Late Sri Mandolin U Srinivasan and then the music melodies from the equally talented brother Sri.U.Rajesh touched our souls deeply.   The sounds of temple bells, the flowing rivers, the divine songs, the mantras and shlokas, added to the mesmerization of the audience. 

The definition of secularism touched the audience with the loud applaud.  The Christian Father from the American Mission High School in Dindivanam where Young Swaminathan did his schooling, his friend who later turned to be his devotee as destiny led Swaminathan to thread the spiritual journey to become the Head of Kanchi Mutt at the young age of 13.    

Beautifully written and elegantly executed by a spark of perfection in Direction by Sri Elango Kumanan and presented by SS International will definitely live in the hearts of the audience for a longer time. 

Where there is a dire need, the universe conspires to make it happen.   The miracles and discussions that were portrayed showcased this truth of the universe.   When the economically poor woman planned her daughter’s wedding and came to seek the blessings from Periyava, miracle happens in the form of another rich devotee offering a huge sum to the mutt at the same time.   The dialogues of contentment and giving back of the rich showcased that humanity still persists.  

The way he interacts with the school student saying who is the VIP,  his sharing of the rich village landlord with struggling farmers,  accepting the produce of a poor farmer as an offering,  the contribution of the Muslim brethren to the Mahamaham festival where lots of people assemble , the botany student who is brainwashed to stop brain drain and contribute to the agricultural needs of the Nation, think of the aged parents and the country  and the couple who have differences of opinions in terms of devotion to God and the Saint saying that the reluctant husband is the actually right and who later on offers respects to Periyava shows that his simple living and high thinking led to harmony, respect and sheer devotion.

Amidst the 4 actors who performed as the Acharaya,  the one who acted as 13 year old and the one who acted as the senior periyava made us feel that the saint himself has come alive on the stage.  The other two also did an amazing job.  They literally brought in the subtle moments of the saint on the stage with life.  

Kudos to the make-up artists and the costume designers.  They did a fabulous job doing it for more than 100 artists.   The back stage support was excellent. 

One thing I could say as the pitfall is the very slow movement of the script at some places making us feel that it is repeated or dragged.    People falling at the feet of Mahaperiyava though was natural, it was becoming too much to watch on the stage but I guess both these things are the ask of the script itself and cannot be avoided

One other comment I heard from the audience is that Periyava worshipping the Goddess Kamakshi, performing the rituals or abhishekams would have added value.   But again, I felt that the connect between the Goddess and Periyava was always there throughout though it was not explicitly shown.

Paramacharya caressing the cows was not visible to all parts of the audience.   And the relevance was also not understood.   That could be little more elaborated.  

Despite the very few negligible things, it was a grand spectacle celebrating not only the life of Mahaperiyava but the grandeur of the Tamil Stage.   It is a celebration of a lifetime of memories of a saint who touched our hearts and souls.   The final scene was the most touching of all.  The grand celebration of 100 years of Mahaperiyava with the grand Kanakabishekam, was touching.   I have seen many people holding hands in devotion with a mist in their eyes.   

Best of all was the engrossed audience who were glued to their seats with no disturbance or moving around.  Without saying, the cellphones were on silent mode showing the respect the script commands.

I wish I had the names of the entire crew and cast, however, I am sure they all will have lifetime of memories having been part of this beautiful show.   I was so happy to see Lavanya Venugopal and Nannu Sir on the stage with others.  Kudos to SS International and especially to Sri Elango Kumanan sir, the excellent sponsors, producers and the technicians who made this possible.  

May the spirit of harmony continue, may the beauty of the devotion survive, may the way of life of Hinduism coordinate with every other religion and live in a secular sense in its true meaning and May the blessings of Mahaperiyava Sri Chandrasekarendra Swami continue with all of us.  

God bless!