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
The New Indian Express

DMK B-team tag: BJP, TVK spar

THE BJP and TVK on Monday traded charges, accusing each other of being the \"B-team\" of DMK by being in a covert alliance with the ruling party.

time-read
1 min  |
March 18, 2025
The New Indian Express

Baby girl hurt in e-bike fire dies, dad still critical

THE nine-month-old girl, who sustained burn injuries in the fire that spread from an e-scooter, died at the hospital on Sunday night.

time-read
1 min  |
March 18, 2025
The New Indian Express

Parties Agree to Resist Delimitation Based on Population in T'gana

OPPOSITION to population-based delimitation emerged as the dominant stance at an all-party meeting convened in the Assembly Committee Hall on Monday.

time-read
1 min  |
March 18, 2025
IT'S A WRAP FOR COOLIE
The New Indian Express

IT'S A WRAP FOR COOLIE

ON Monday, the makers of Rajinikanth's Coolie, directed by Lokesh anKanagaraj, nounced the wrap of the film.

time-read
1 min  |
March 18, 2025
Woman MLA climbs House chair to voice ire
The New Indian Express

Woman MLA climbs House chair to voice ire

A heated debate over the NEP led to an uproar in the Puducherry Legislative Assembly, culminating in the opposition walking out and the lone woman MLA, Chandira Priyanga (AINRC), staging a protest by standing on her chair \"for not allowing her to speak in the House\".

time-read
1 min  |
March 18, 2025
BASICS OF Basics of Biophilic design
The New Indian Express

BASICS OF Basics of Biophilic design

UMANS share an inherent relationship with nature, and bringing that to spaces is more than just a design trend. Biophilia translates to \"the passionate love of life and all that is alive\" in ancient Greek.

time-read
2 分  |
March 18, 2025
The New Indian Express

Manipur cases to be tried in Guwahati: SC

THE Supreme Court on Monday said the trial of the Manipur ethnic violence cases, probed by the CBI, would be conducted in Assam capital Guwahati, where they were transferred to earlier.

time-read
1 min  |
March 18, 2025
The New Indian Express

City to have 3 early intervention centres to help disabled kids

To be set up at 1.83 crore, facilities will provide therapeutic aid to infants with med needs

time-read
1 min  |
March 18, 2025
Headache, fever, trouble looking at light? It may be meningitis
The New Indian Express

Headache, fever, trouble looking at light? It may be meningitis

ON March 8, Saturday, five children, in the age group of six and seven years, i presented with symptoms XPLAINER from Kochi like fever and headache. Upon examination, it was found they had been suffering from viral meningitis.

time-read
1 min  |
March 18, 2025
THE GROWING CRISIS OF RAGGING IN KERALA
The New Indian Express

THE GROWING CRISIS OF RAGGING IN KERALA

RAGGING in Kerala's educational institutions has become an organised crime, which at times is facilitated by drug abuse. Despite the strict laws to counter such brutalities, many educational institutions choose not to report such incidents.

time-read
3 分  |
March 18, 2025