PRESERVING TAMIL THEATRE
The New Indian Express|November 11, 2024
The founder of Devriksha School of Acting talks about the fundamentals of learning the art of acting, the need for preserving the individuality of each artiste, the various genres in plays, and the deep-rootedness of theatre in rural side of the state, highlighting the learnings from the legends
- KV VASUDEVAN
PRESERVING TAMIL THEATRE

In any profession, working with a stalwart can be a learning experience. Beyond the craft, you learn how to lead your life, too. Theatre artiste Sreedevi Gengaiah had a similar experience.

"Not just acting and direction, but I learned what is life from Natesan Muthuswamy, founder of Koothu-P-Pattarai. It was my way of repaying the gratitude by opening a school of acting for theatre buffs," says the founder of Devriksha School of Acting.

Fondly rewinding her glorious summers of the bygone years, Devi recalls that the best thing that happened to Tamil theatre was when Muthuswamy brought the organisation to its rightful place on the cultural map of India.

"During the 70s, the veteran started writing in Tamil and found a firm mooring in the way his ideas hit the bull's eye. He scripted several plays and staged them under Koothu-P-Pattarai productions. He has won a handful of awards for his contribution to Tamil theatre - Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1999-2000), Kalaimamani Award (2010) and Padma Shri Award (2012)," she says.

Devi worked under the late artiste for 10 years, and she calls it being part of the family, such being the bond. "Once I learnt the basics of acting, it was a matter of getting into the nuances of theatre where the body language had to be pronounced in every frame. Such was the confidence the founder had in me that I was soon in direction. Possibly, I surprised him with the range of ideas, thanks to the freedom where every actor had a say in the proceedings," she says.

An active part of the theatre for well over 25 years, the hallmark of Devi's innings had been the countless national and international workshops on acting, theatre, and storytelling.

"What did wonders to my CV was working with theatre experts from Tamil Nadu legends like Anandakannan, Jeeva Raghunath, not to forget the towering presence of my mentor Muthuswamy," she notes.

この蚘事は The New Indian Express の November 11, 2024 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

この蚘事は The New Indian Express の November 11, 2024 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESSのその他の蚘事すべお衚瀺
FEEDING THE FUTURE
The New Indian Express

FEEDING THE FUTURE

THE world of baby food is a minefield of conflicting advice. One side swears by age-old traditions-ragi porridge, sprouted grains, and homemade ghee while the other promotes modern nutrition trends like baby-led weaning and protein packed purées.

time-read
3 分  |
March 19, 2025
Gujarat village awaits Sunita return from space
The New Indian Express

Gujarat village awaits Sunita return from space

THE ancestral Gujarat village of American astronaut of Indian origin Sunita Williams eagerly awaits her return to Earth. Her homecoming has sparked joy worldwide, more so in the small village of Jhulasan in Kadi, Mehsana, where her family is already celebrating her anticipated arrival.

time-read
1 min  |
March 19, 2025
Dargah trustee hacked to death by gang in Nellai
The New Indian Express

Dargah trustee hacked to death by gang in Nellai

A 60-year-old former police sub-inspector was hacked to death by a gang in Tirunelveli city around 5.45 am on Tuesday in a suspected dispute regarding a parcel of Waqf land.

time-read
2 分  |
March 19, 2025
The New Indian Express

After ASER 'fails' TN kids, primary schools ready for 'open challenge'

Education directorate invites officials to visit 4,552 schools to assess students’ proficiency

time-read
1 min  |
March 19, 2025
Deal on Ukraine energy, infra targets truce done
The New Indian Express

Deal on Ukraine energy, infra targets truce done

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin on Monday agreed to stop striking energy targets in Ukraine for 30 days, Kremlin said.

time-read
1 min  |
March 19, 2025
A PENCHANT FOR PENS
The New Indian Express

A PENCHANT FOR PENS

This is a story that takes us a few decades back, familiarises with the history, the makers and making of Ranga Pens one that made rounds at the Chennai Pen Show

time-read
3 分  |
March 19, 2025
Ceasefire in the bin as Israeli airstrikes kill over 400 in Gaza
The New Indian Express

Ceasefire in the bin as Israeli airstrikes kill over 400 in Gaza

Israel launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday killing at least 413 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and shattered a ceasefire in place since January with its deadliest bombardment in a 17-month asymmetrical war with Hamas.

time-read
1 min  |
March 19, 2025
A concerted effort
The New Indian Express Chennai

A concerted effort

NDIA Vision Institute (IVI) has announced a partnership with Plastic Odyssey—they will explore the feasibility of making spectacle frames, cases and accessories from recycled plastic waste.

time-read
1 min  |
March 19, 2025
The New Indian Express Chennai

Zopper aims to end FY25 with ₹500-cr revenue

INSURTECH start-up Zopper aims to end this fiscal year with a ₹500-crore revenue, coming on back of a strong 55%-60% growth in its premiums across key lines of business.

time-read
1 min  |
March 19, 2025
Modi says Ilaiyaraaja a trailblazer in every sense
The New Indian Express

Modi says Ilaiyaraaja a trailblazer in every sense

FOLLOWING his recent Symphony in London, music maestro Ilaiyaraaja called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday.

time-read
1 min  |
March 19, 2025