How the multifaceted S.D. Sundaram modified the course of Tamil theatre

S. D. Sundaram, who made a splash along with his very first play, Kaviyin Kanavu
| Picture Credit score: Particular Association

Tamil theatre’s historical past is pleasant with many stalwarts having created works which have stood the take a look at of time and impressed generations of actors and administrators. In the present day when established and beginner troupes are experimenting with new topics on stage, it might be a good suggestion to recall how some yesteryear theatre personalities thought forward of time. One such was S.D. Sundaram (1921-1979).

One among Tamil stage’s outstanding playwrights within the mid-Twentieth century, Sundaram was born in Athur close to Salem. He entered theatre at an early age, becoming a member of Nawab Rajamanickam Pillai’s drama troupe Madurai Devi Bala Vinodha Sangeetha Sabha round 1933. Seeing his curiosity and proficiency in Tamil literature’s nice works equivalent to Athichuvadi, Kondrai Vendhan and the Tiruvarutpa, Rajamanickam Pillai inspired him to pursue his Vidwan course, which Sundaram handed with flying colors.

Nawab Rajamanickam (L) with the then Chief Justice P.V. Rajamannar throughout the staging of the play Dasavatharam.
| Picture Credit score:
The Hindu Archives

In 1942, Sundaram was imprisoned in Tanjore for 9 months for his participation within the freedom motion. As soon as out of jail, he rejoined Nawab Rajamanickam Pillai’s troupe, solely to department out on his personal a short time later. In 1944, with the blessings of his guru, Sundaram and one other teen from the troupe, T.Okay. Thangavelu (higher identified on this planet of theatre and cinema as T.Okay. Krishnaswamy), left Madurai Devi Bala Vinodha Sangeetha Sabha to launch Sakthi Nataka Sabha. Their first manufacturing was Kaviyin Kanavu, written by Sundaram himself.

A star studded-cast which included the likes of M.N. Nambiar (who additionally traced his dramatic lineage to Nawab Rajamanickam Pillai’s drama troupe) because the Rajaguru and S.V. Subbaiah because the poet enhanced the play’s attraction with their performances. The play was premiered in 1944, a evaluate that appeared in 1945 reveals that it was forward of its time by way of adopting new strategies and know-how within the presentation of the play. For starters, it had only one music, unprecedented in an period when songs had been nonetheless an integral a part of stage performs. Secondly, it made use of electrical lights to good impact. One other side was the design of the stage itself. Two pillars had been set in the course of the stage and had been moved to both the left or the best, relying on the requirement of a selected scene. It additionally used slide projections to introduce the forged and crew of the play. The Rajaguru was launched utilizing the shadow method.

S.D. Sundaram being honoured by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai on February 12, 1968.
| Picture Credit score:
The Hindu Archives

The play was infused with robust political opinions of the poet, searching for to free his motherland from the clutches of the villain (from a overseas energy). A play referred to as ‘Kanavu’ set inside this play instilled a way of patriotism within the poet’s countrymen. It spoke of his dream of a poverty-free, equal society. Coming because it did on the throes of our nation’s independence, the play was a stupendous success.

Famous playwright-poet Bharatidasan who presided over a efficiency at Dindigul spoke in glowing phrases concerning the actors’ performances. The play proved a turning level within the Nambiar’s and Subbaiah’s careers. Somasundaram of Jupiter Photos, who was impressed by their performances employed them on contract for his manufacturing home. When Nambiar couldn’t proceed performing the play on account of his rising film commitments, the mantle fell on a teen who would go on to turn out to be one in all Tamil cinema’s outstanding lyricists, albeit briefly, Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram.

Sundaram went on to writer performs equivalent to En Kadhai, Aravindar and Nam Thai. He was additionally a dialogue author for a number of profitable movies equivalent to Ondre Kulam, Mohini MGR was paired with V.N. Janaki for the primary time) and Kappalottiya Tamizhan. In 1973, he wrote a play titled Veera Sudhandhiram, to mark the silver jubilee of Indian Independence. It was inaugurated on the centenary celebrations of theatre legend Pammal Sambanda Mudaliar that 12 months, starring a number of movie stars equivalent to R. Muthuraman, T.Okay. Bhagavathi, T.R. Ramachandran, V.S. Raghavan and others.

Sundaram additionally served as a member of the Higher Home of the TN Legislature between 1964 and 1968 and because the secretary of the Iyal Isai Nataka Manram from 1968 to 1976. He handed away in 1979.