Stage Creations "HONEYMOON COUPLES" Drama Review

WORLD THEATER DAY WEEK @ BHARATIYA VIDHYA BHAVAN, CHENNAI KENDRA March 2017

Tamizh Nadu, Eyal, Issai, Nadaka Mandram in Association with Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan presented Stage Creations stage play, "HONEYMOON COUPLE", Story and Dialogue by Crazy Mohan and Acted by Shri Sundaresa Kathadi Ramamurthy.

 What an excellent, amazing and awesome hilarious, comical stage play and an awesome performance by every artist. An outstanding team work and an amazing cast and crew. I appreciate each one of them.

World Theatre Day was initiated in 1961 by the International Theater Institute (ITI). It is celebrated annually on the 27th March by ITI Centres and the international theater community. Various national and international theater events are organized to mark this occasion. 

From 27th Mar for 6 days upto 31st Mar 2017, Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Manram & Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan jointly celebrate the 'World Theater Day' at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Auditorium Mylapore @ 6.30 pm every day. Stage Creations under the guidance of their mentor Sri Kathadi Sir, enacted their ever green vintage laugh riot 'Honey Moon Couple' by Crazy Mohan on 28th Mar 2017. 

‘Honeymoon Couple’ have been staged 350 times.

Kathadi Ramamurthy Sir  has been awarded Kalaimamani, and is a recipient of several titles, including Nataka Kala Sironmani, Nadiga Choodamani, Best TV Serial Comedian and Nataka Rathnam.  Despite the achievements, accolades and awards, he remains humble. He says, “We did not do plays for monetary benefits. Applause meant everything. We breathed theater. All our evening and late night discussions centered on the next play and trying to make it entertaining for the audience.”

His passion for acting hasn’t waned since he made his formal debut in 1954.He keeps himself busy and is often seen shuttling between play rehearsals and shooting for TV serials. He says pursuing his passion at this age gives him a lot of positive energy. Even after his recent health issues, the spirit of the man is never ending.   He is a born artist

The Story Plot

This popular stage play of the 70s directed by Kathadi Ramamurthy and written by Crazy Mohan has been re-created to delight avid theater lovers. Kathadi plays Ramani a truant employee who, averse to attending office, spends most of his time at home. He tries every trick at his disposal to keep himself away from work and be dismissed from service. When he finally succeeds in his mission, he decides to go on a honeymoon to Ooty. His humorous adventures in the hill station form the rest of the story.

 

Ramani is a character that we see in every normal man around.  Tired of work, aversion to the loan lenders bugging him and have a different thoughts on enjoyment altogether as he missed the honeymoon soon after the marriage.   He is a typical husband who is always nagging his wife.   Here Ramani's wife  did an amazing job understanding her husband, trying to politely refuse his idea of honey moon at the age when his children are in college and also how she manages the money lender - grocery shop owner to whom Ramani owes Rs 400.   Ramani with a salary of Rs 5000 manages the house, his children education and still tries to dream about his honeymoon to Ooty which he missed soon after marriage.   His father-in-law's accompanying to Vaideeswaran koil to do his religious commitments and later on his death when they were about to board the train to ooty was also shown in the most hilarious ways.   Ramamurthy sir did an amazing job as Ramani and his colleague Raghothaman in office, manager acted very aptly.   His son Dileep is a character of innocence and affections and well done by the artist.   

Parallel, we see a family of a Raja with his son and daughter-in-law who has a family astana doctor and this Raja holds the realms of the olden days and still thinks that he is the king and maintains his estate in Ooty and also has a PA who keeps singing his name every time he gets a chance.  The family doctor keeps trying different medication to to the Raja and finally he advice's him to take an x-ray for his heart problem.  

Raghothaman takes the x-ray of the Raja thinking it is of Ramani and PA Ramani, takes Ramani's x-ray thinking it is of Raja and the confusion begins.  Ramani's records shows that he is having a heart problem and needs to be kept happy and hence his family is advised to take care of him.  On this pretext of keeping him happy, finally his wife gives in to the idea of going to Ooty with him.

Raja's son Vishwanth also after 3 months of marriages, takes his wife and plans to go to Ooty.  He wants to spend time in hotel but on his father's insistence agrees to go and stay in the estate bungalow.   Narayanan who is the estate manager did an amazing job.   Vishwanath is given a ring to show to Narayanan to identify him on his visit to the bungalow.  Unfortunately,  the daughter-in-law lost the ring in the railway station and this ring is found by our hero Ramani.

Ramani after searching of hotels and April being the peak season in Ooty did not find any hotels to stay and ends up in the Raja's bungalow.   On seeing the ring on his hand, Narayanan thinks that Ramani is Raja's guest and gives him all leverages to stay in the bungalow.   Meanwhile Vishwanath and his wife, pay for bungalow rent and stay in a average room.   Vishwanath comes to know of how Narayanan mis-uses the property by sub-letting it to outsiders as Raja visits seldom to the place.  

 

After all the confusion and happiness, meanwhile Ramani wanting to playing around with an Australian Guest Julie  and how his dentures scare Vishwanath's wife forms the hilarious part of the drama.    Finally the Raja and his PA Ramani land up in Ooty and then the reality dawns on the couples.  

As Raja was initially said that his heart problem is cured and he is happy, his health improves and the family is very happy about it as the doctor confirms the same.  Meanwhile Ramani and family is happy that there is no problem with his health.   In the end, Raja being very happy offers our Ramani a job in the estate and asks him to take the estate itself.   Being a truant employee himself,  Ramani ends up sitting down in disappointment and there ends the story of 2 honeymoon couples.

Every actor has given their best.  The two lady artists were amazing.  Kathadi sir pulled the show on his shoulders literally to the happiness of the overwhelming crowd in the auditorium.  Make up of the artists was perfect, sound and music section did a neat job, the stage sets were matching to the flow of the drama and lighting was perfect.  The best part was the dialogues delivery into the mikes without each artist pushing on to the other one...they covered the entire stage with perfection.   It was not too loud or low voice but was at the perfect pitch entertaining the audience.

The laugh riot and the applause's received must have thrilled each one acted in this play and I am sure this play will go on for many more years to come.   

Thanks to my friend Lavanya Venugopal whose posts made me go for this drama and enjoy the show and she did an amazing job as Raja's daughter in law.

I will give this show 4.5/5 for being a truly entertaining drama and making the audience enjoy to the core. 

 

 

AGILE Team Performance

Agile Team Motivation

One of the Agile principles states, “Build the team around motivated individuals; give them the support and encouragement they need.”
An Agile leader needs to motivate the team. Some of the well-known motivation theories are:

Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs
Motivational Factors by Boehm
Frederick Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory
David McClelland’s Achievement Motivation Theory

Agile Team Motivation—Maslow’s Theory

Abraham Maslow's ‘Hierarchy of Human Needs’ is depicted as a five level pyramid.
The four lower levels represent the most fundamental needs, called ‘Deficiency needs’ or ‘D-needs.’ The fifth level is self-actualization, where people reach their full potential.
Maslow indicates that the lower level needs have to be satisfied before one can move to the higher level needs.

Agile Team Motivation—Frederick Herzberg’s Theory

Frederick Herzberg established a theory based on the two factors, Motivators and Hygiene factors.
Motivators are those factors that give immense satisfaction, arising from intrinsic conditions of the job, such as recognition, achievement, or personal growth. Examples of Motivators are challenging work, recognition, and responsibility.
Hygiene factors are necessary, but do not give motivation; although the absence of these will result in dissatisfaction. Examples of Hygiene factors are status, job security, salary, fringe benefits, and work conditions.
An Agile project team requires hygiene factors to establish a minimal level of team performance. Also, motivators determine if the team can achieve high performance.


Agile Team Motivation—McClelland’s Theory

David McClelland's ‘Achievement Motivation’ theory is based on ‘Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs’ theory. McClelland’s theory describes three types of dominant motivators, which are Achievement, Affiliation, and Authority or Power.
People with ‘Achievement’ motivators are characterized by the following traits –

A strong need to set and accomplish challenging goals.
Willing to take calculated risks to accomplish goals.
Likes to receive regular feedback on progress and achievements.
Often likes to work alone.

People with ‘Affiliation’ motivators are characterized by the following traits –

They want to belong in the group.
They want to be liked, and will often go along with what the rest of the group wants to do.
They favor collaboration over competition.
They do not like high risk or uncertainty.

People with ‘Power’ motivators are characterized by the following traits –


Want to control and influence others.
Like to win arguments.
Enjoy competition and winning.
Enjoy status and recognition.

Great Quotes on Women and Courage

I’m tough, I’m ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay. — Madonna

“The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” – Ayn Rand

Whatever women do, they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult.”– Charlotte Whitton

 
“If you don’t like being a doormat then get off the floor.”

“You move totally away from reality when you believe that there is a legitimate reason to suffer.”– Byron Katie

“Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it by use.”– Ruth Gordon

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”– Maya Angelou

We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced. — Malala Yousafzai

I have come to realize making yourself happy is most important. Never be ashamed of how you feel. — Demi Lovato

In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man; if you want anything done, ask a woman- Margaret Thatcher

If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun. — Katharine Hepburn

It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but even more to stand up to your friends. — J.K. Rowling

The best protection any woman can have is courage.

Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. –Judy Garland

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”– Helen Keller

“One of the most courageous things you can do is identify yourself, know who you are, what you believe in and where you want to go.”– Sheila Murray Bethel

“You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.”– Rosalynn Carter

“One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.”– Simone de Beauvoir

Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” – Oprah Winfrey 

Taking joy in living is a woman’s best cosmetic.”– Rosalind Russell

“I’ve often thought it unfair that women are expected to stay at home when there’s a fight to be won. If awoman has the strength to bear a child, she can swing a sword as well as any man”     ― Karen Hawkins

“Do one thing every day that scares you.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“It is our choices, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” – J.K Rowling

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa

“I learned to always take on things I’d never done before. Growth and comfort do not coexist.” – Virginia Rometty (CEO of IBM)

Importance of Client Satisfaction to Business

Client Satisfaction  -  7 client imperatives

1. Fulfill commitments

Match your commitment to my request
Coordinate people who promise and people who deliver
Deliver on your promises and commitments both formal and informal

2. Make it Easy to do business

Make policies, practices and procedures invisible to me
Do business in my terms
Have personalized choices
Make it easy to do business

3.  Understand the client
 
Understand the industry
Understand the business
Know me (strategy, processes, organization and culture)
Understand how solutions fit the business needs

4.  Communicate
 
Initiate contact. Tell me what i need to know when I need to know it
Listen and hear me
Use my language and say in simply
Be honest and respectful
Assign single points of contact
Give the customer a better view of the support
Use internal communications to drive consistency

5.  Be competent

Demonstrate expertise
Have the resources (people, products and services to solve my business problems
Provide quality workmanship

6.  Be cost effective
 
Give the most cost-effective solution the first time
Let me select the level of service for which I want to pay
Give me cost-effective, competitive alternatives
Tell me the cost up-front

7. Be responsible and accessible

Be available when I need you
Provide the right person the first time
Have a single point of contact
Keep me informed and follow up
Anticipate what I need

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Why the focus on client satisfaction?

The value of high client satisfaction - Happy customers buy more service

1. It is far easier to support a happy customer
2. Satisfied clients are more likely to buy new services

Actions
1. communication model
2. Transparency
3. Service consistency

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Communication model - Core principles of interactions with the customer

1. Provide the service the customer has requested
2. Be indifferent between the levels of service (the customer picks the service they need)
3. Counsel and not threaten (proactive vs reactive)
4. Listen to what customer has to say
5. Have verbal conversations and not just discussions through email
6. Never say, 'I can't talk to you about that!'
7. Don't use the term 'contract' with the client, use the term agreement or avoid it altogether
8. Have senior management involved in conversations about strategic issues

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Make it easy to do business - Customer perspective

Customers generally expect problems, they often see satisfactory solution of these problems as a bonus

The biggest customer issues often have their roots in
1. Lack of communication also known as 'The Bad' surprise
2. company over the customer,  example, Policy, Matrix
3. Failure to support the customer in dealing with their management

Customers who have the perfect experience when working with you often give lower client satisfaction ratings
than those who have problems or complaints that get resolved quickly

It all ties to managing clients needs and expectations

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How to handle upset customer

1.  Empathize with the client (let them know you care)
2. Listen completely - don't interrupt
3. Ask questions to better understand the problem
4. Take notes and confirm that you understood what was said
5.  Take ownership, don't pass the buck
6. Respond immediately, if you are unable to fix the problem, get help
7. A great guideline to use at any time:  Why Am I Talking?

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Ideas for creating partnership

Buy them coffee :-)  It works sometimes
Listen
suggest interim workarounds
Acknowledge the problem, sympathize
Ask questions
Find out exactly what is bothering them
Make sure the right players are participating- escalate if necessary
Offer a solution
Remain Calm - don't panic causing more frustration
Search for causes
Make sure you understand the severity of the problem
Take responsibility for the problem
Offer to have technical teams engaged
Don't hide
Participate in cost containment exercises with the client
Identify ways to improve client's processes there by increasing productivity and reducing cost
Reviewing Disaster recovery and other processes and implementing a higher level of recovery
Review customer's utilization, application performance and making meaningful recommendations
Making network recommendations to help customer reduce network response time, service cost, and/or single points of failure


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Understand the client - General Guidelines

1.  The client pays the bills, so treat them that way
2. Work with management and expect them to say 'Yes , we can' but help to understand what it might cost, time required and information needed.
3. Sit with your customer and hall conversations are great
4. Build relationship at the operations level