Curtains up! The spotlight's on inclusion

A drama troupe in Chennai uses theatre to address social issues, including the importance of inclusive education and empathy for all types of students.

- S GURUVANMIKANATHAN

Muthukumaran had requested his drama troupe sponsors to latch the door of his room from the outside. The sexagenarian was unable to shake off the feeling of alienation that had engulfed him the moment he stepped foot in the city of San Jose in the US, back in 2018. Isolating himself in his room, he contemplated how he could not cope with the seclusion while the locals failed to follow his heavily accented English. This train of thought made him wonder what it was like for senior citizens living in isolation.

"I went on to direct a drama titled Panchavadi, which touches upon this very isolation," said Muthukumaran, a drama artist, director, and scriptwriter of PMG Mayurapriya Creations. A former senior audit officer of the AG's office, Muthukumaran has thrown himself into his passion after retirement; conducting plays on topics that he believes merited social reformation.

The drama dwelled on the idea that old age homes should not be permanent residences. He believes that the elderly should only need to stay there briefly before returning home.