KOCHI: There were two theatre performances in the city towards the end of last week. ‘Parinayam’, the theatre adaptation of M T Vasudevan Nair’s script by Surya Krishnamoorthy staged at JTPac and ‘Yakshikathakalum Nattuvarthamanagalum’ by Suvarna Theatres, Valayanchirangara, staged at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Hall under the aegis of Bank Employees Art movement. Both saw the presence of an urban audience who have learnt to appreciate the modern theatrical experience, that is a part of the city’s entertainment zone, now.
However, the world of professional theatre, which heralded sociopolitical revolutions in Kerala during its golden days is nowhere to be seen now. A shadow of its glorious past, theatre in Kerala has been sadly marginalised. It is now relegated to festival grounds and theatre fests or competitions. This is despite the fact that the themes of the plays staged by most professional troupes remain very much socially relevant and topical.
The professional drama fest organised by KCBC Media Commission in the city during the last week of September, attended by professional theatre troupes from across the state, had also proved this point. Though KPAC which rewrote history with its revolutionary play ‘Ningalenne Communistakki’ in the Fifties, has toned down its plays, the theme of the current play they are staging, ‘Sahanaparvam’, is socially relevant, revolving around women in society.
Most people associated with theatre today contend that the invasion of films and TV has proved to be the bane of theatres in Kerala.
However, this argument ignores the fact that theatre is considered premium entertainment in the West, especially in the US, where the modern entertainment media are at its
zenith.
Some of the popular theatre troupes today come with the solid backing of some organisation that assures them enough stage space round the year. While KPAC, the oldest theatre still performing in the state, has the backing of CPM, Sahithi Theatres, Thiruvananthapuram, is supported by the Congress (I). Pala Diocese runs Pala Communications, under which there are three troupes, one for general or social plays, one for Biblical plays and yet another that stages children’s
theatre.
As Satish Sangamitra, chairman, Kerala Professional Drama Chamber, who has been running the Ernakulam-based Cochin Sangamitra since 35 years, says “Now it is difficult for professional drama companies to
survive.
Professional troupes with quality plays manage to stay alive. With a quality play, you can manage up to 200 to 250 stages, a year. However, profits often run low.”
It is no secret that every theatre company in the state faces shortage of talent, most acutely in acting, though almost in all other areas too. In its heydays, stalwarts of Malayalam cultural and literary world lead the stage. Gifted writers like V T Bhattthiripad, Thoppil Bhasi, Edasseri Govindan Nair and N N Pillai wrote the scripts. Songs penned by Vayalar Rama Varma, O N V Kurup, and G Devarajan became the rage of an entire generation. Stalwarts like P J Antony, N N Pillai and O Madhavan shook the stage with their acting.
As E A Rajendran of Kalidasa Kalakendram, which is celebrating its golden jubilee this year, says, “More talent and those trained in academies should come into theatre, this would improve the quality of the plays. The government can do a lot more to promote this form of entertainment.”
Sangeetha Nataka Academy secretary Ravunni contends that, “the Academy organises fests, competitions and various camps to encourage theatre and theatre artists. The International Theatre Fest of Kerala (ITFOK) features plays from around the World.” But, as Thomas Mathew who attended five plays at the KCBC theatre fest this year, says, “We need to cultivate a theatre culture in Kerala. Quality entertainment is sure to beckon audience.
I was not interested in watching plays earlier but after watching a few plays by professional troupes at KCBC fest, I want to watch more.
However, I don’t think there is any place in the city, where I can go and watch a quality play on a regular basis, even once a week. I think there must be a permanent theatre where we can go and watch plays at least on weekends.”
kochi@expressbuzz.com
