It is a system embedded deep in our history. The rotten practice of casteism, which even today is prevalent, is one blot that refuses to fade away. It is in this context that Malayalam-Tamil writer Jayamohan’s novel ‘100 Simhasanangal’ assumes significance.
Giving the popular novel a theatrical adaptation is Phoenix World Theatre led by Charu Narayanan. The drama titled ‘101 Simhasanangal’ will be staged on December 2 at Changampuzha Park at 7 pm.
101 Simhasanangal narrates the tale of a Nayadi (Adivasi) youth who defies odds and rises to the echelons of power. Born at a time when casteism was a lifestyle, the protagonist, as a child, stumbles on a disciple of Narayana Guru who adopts him and provides him an opportunity to educate himself.
Good at education, the Nayadi youth ends up as the District Collector but he is unable to shrug off the remnants of his past life.
Internal conflicts and the way the society treats him makes his life harrowing.
The novel, an autobiographical account, stands apart for the way how it mapped the history and cultural virtues of the yore. Through the work, the writer while focusing on the caste system, which once barred a Nayadi or low caste individual from going anywhere in the vicinity of the uppercaste, analyses the present political fabric of the country.
“100 Simhasanangal is one work that has been noted for his strong and relevant content. It is one reason why we decided to give it a theatrical adaptation. As much as the play tries to trace the life of a sidelined society, we also reflect the real value of the teachings of Sree Narayana Guru,” says Charu Narayanan, who has been associated with theatre movement for over a decade.According to her, the drama that was initially planned as a short play was extended considering its political and societial relevance.
The play ‘100 Simhasanangal’ has been scripted and directed by M Pradeepan, an alumni of School of Drama, Thrissur.
The music has been done by famous composer Bijibal and Pattanam Rasheed handles the make up department.
The crew include Charu Narayanan, Praveen Pillai, Suhas Balan, Rincy, Anandu KV, Sudheesh Nayarambalam and Vishnu Pradeep. Assistant director is Praveen Pillai, while Dhruv K Nair is the technical director.
‘100 Simhasanangal’ is the second production of Phoenix World Theatre. The first was Girish Karnad’s ‘Nagamandala’.