CHENNAI: If there is a threat to the environment posed by ‘degenerative process’ wherein the ‘factories’ play an important part, their sole aim being to make ‘mega bucks’ at the expense of environment, the question that Sivakumar of Anna University poses to the society is - “What is more important - A safe life, or a compromised living?”
A recent drama titled Vendhu Thaninthadu, that revolved around the issues of global warming and conservation of natural resources and enacted by the Anna University Cultural Troupe, highlighted the problems that may be caused due to setting up of industries in green villages. The ‘ecological’ focus was well maintained in their enactment of the drama. Moreover, powerful dialogues revealed how money and muscle power was used to arm twist the innocent villagers, who were reluctant to sell their cultivable land, to businessmen for a ‘measly compensation’.
The drama brought out the loud truth that money is not everything in life and no compensation can be arrived at, if there is indeed a threat to the environment, portraying the danger caused by man’s quest for technological advancement on the earth, at the cost of global warming and Ozone depletion.
The drama revolved on social causes creating an impact on audience, thereby acting as a ‘catalyst’ towards transforming the society for a better tomorrow.
“The play was well received by the audience, in all forums. The play was attention-grabbing too as it captured the audience’s attention for its humour, satire and laudable depiction of certain real existence of ‘make believe personalities’ in the modern society,” said Sivakumar.
The play also won the ‘Best Drama Award’. The artistes have also been conferred with ‘Best Actress Award’, and the ‘Best Supporting Artistes Award’. Sivakumar said that the drama had won accolades primarily because of its thematic content. He also credited the Mylapore Academy And Kartik Fine Arts for helping out with the play.
“I began my career as a librarian in Anna University and gained inspiration to write plays by reading books and journals. Myself and Rajkumar, a colleague from Anna University, got together, to find a way to raise awareness on social causes. And we finally found the way out - it was theatre,” said Sivakumar. The inspiration for this play, according to Sivakumar, came from a sign board that was earlier placed in the Raj Bhavan Area, that read ‘Asia’s Biggest Oxygen Factory Is Working Silently Here’. The play focused on the struggle of one village to stop the destruction of the forest.