Theatre in Kerala on life support

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The renowned director Adoor Gopalakrishnan recently said that just as people buy tickets to see films, there should be tickets for theatre too. This will help revive theatre that once flourished in the state and now seems to be on life support.

Theatre in Kerala played a crucial role in social reformation and was a crowd puller during festivals and party meetings. If the Reds grew in popularity in the state, they owe much to the realistic dramas of the ‘50s and ‘60s, especially the ones of KPAC which replicated on stage the life of ordinary people, their struggles and their fights against injustice.

The decline began with the onslaught of cinema and this was hastened with the wide spread of television. Theatre artistes have been pushed to the margins. Which is why one of the best actors is a lodge worker, a dance drama artiste has to sell lotteries for a living and another artiste of yesteryears looks to shelter homes in Alappuzha.

And this happens when elsewhere theatre is a crowd-puller and is taken seriously. Film director Renjith, a product of the School of Drama in Thrissur, says there is no theatre culture in Kerala where people go to watch a play, paying for a ticket as they do for a film.

“Drama in Kerala was mostly performed as part of festivals or party programmes. People went to see it free of cost. They can never digest the concept of paying to see a play,” he says. Experiments by small clubs have not made a serious impact, he adds.

Since the performance is free of cost, the troupe earns little. Renjith recounts how he once asked a leading film actor, who was a well-known theatre artiste, why he had moved over. The reply was, “I used to get Rs 75 for a performance and after much bargaining it went up to Rs 125. When I was offered a role in a film, along with it came Rs 10,000.”

That explains everything, says Renjith who has used the services of theatre artistes in his films. Renjith also makes it clear that he does not want to experiment with theatre.

According to data from the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, as many as 189 theatre troupes were registered with it till last year. And this year, 19 have applied for recognition.

Akademi chairman Soorya Krishnamoorthy says that the Akademi is keen to support drama and offers financial assistance in the form of subsidy. Besides, selected plays will be given at least `1 lakh. The Akademi also has several welfare programmes for artistes.

Mr Krishnamoorthy is the founder-director of the Soorya Stage and Film Society, and says his troupe produces two full-length plays and three mini-dramas every year.

“Our plays have been presented on 400 stages in and outside the country for the last two years. Our actors are getting at least Rs 2,000 per stage, irrespective of whether they are junior or senior,” he said. The future is for realistic theatre, he adds.

The Kalanilayam drama troupe started by Krishnan Nair is all set to celebrate its golden jubilee next year. It has introduced modern technology and its horror play Raktharakshass, first staged 39 years ago, is still a hit, say troupe members. But theatre activists admit that it is a one-off tale of success.

Playwright Sreemoolan- agaram Mohanan says contemptuously that a handful of so-called theatre experts have been presenting sheer entertainers, and in the name of experimentation, have plays that resemble temple processions.

People won’t pay and see a drama: Renjith, film director

Drama in Kerala was mostly performed as part of festivals or party programmes. People went to see it free of cost. They can never digest the concept of paying to see a play.

‘Adaptability is the need of the hour’

The Kerala People’s Arts Club (KPAC), one of active theatre troupes in the state that staged its first play, Ente Makananu Sari (My Son is Right) in 1951, is still firmly rooted in its belief that it has a role in changing society.

There was a time when the troupe had 200-250 stages in a season. Rajeeevan Mammilli, who directed as many as seven plays for KPAC, said as the lifestyle and perspective of the new generation is changing, the theatre needs to cope up with the new and evolving cultural environment. But its commitment to effect positive social changes will remain firm, he asserted.

We give actors Rs 2,000 per stage: Soorya krishnamoorthy, Akademi chairman

Our plays have been presented on 400 stages in and outside the country for the last two years. Our actors are getting at least Rs 2,000 per stage, irrespective of whether they are junior or senior.