The Hindu Business Line : `Tamil theatre needs corporates to stage revival'

TAMIL theatre aficionados, reared on a rich tradition of theatrical fare, are thinning out at an alarming rate, and this is being viewed with concern by some of today's stage stalwarts. The Tamil diaspora elsewhere, particularly outside the shores of the country, is, however, starved of good theatre, and artistes from the South have now found an effective alternative outlet for their creative cravings.

In the existing scenario, particularly in Chennai, lack of corporate sponsorship for entertainment theatre and declining media patronage are seen as two cruel blows for the sagging theatre movement in Tamil Nadu, which now desperately needs a leg-up. Availability of good drama scripts is another problem.

TV personality and seasoned stage artiste S. Varadarajan of United Visuals was in Kolkata recently on the invitation of Rasikha Ranjana Sabha to participate in the Sabha's annual theatre festival. He told Business Line that he would not like to blame the sabha system entirely for the poor audience turnout at shows even on weekends, "On the contrary, at least we are assured of some 250-300 people who are present to encourage the artistes."

He said the top artistes who found their early moorings in theatre and then moved on to cinema should return, at least partially, to put Tamil theatre back on stage. Theatre is direct communication with the masses, and instant feedbacks from the audience is a great feeling, says Varadarajan, a bank employee-turned-TV anchor and stage personality.

He said if audiences cannot come to the theatre hall, "let's take the theatre to the audiences." He is willing to take his troupe of some 20-odd members to the fringe areas, where industrial townships exist and perform if corporate sponsorship is available. "I am even willing to stage plays based on themes closely connected to the sponsoring entity, so long as they support our troupe financially to stage one of our own plays as well." He has also evolved the new concept of accommodating the local artistes of the area to create a sense of camaraderie.

More Stories on : Entertainment & Leisure

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Farmers and the Florican fight for survival

We're all the earth's crew

`Taking fashion to the masses'

`Tamil theatre needs corporates to stage revival'

Zee makes presentation to BCCI on telecast