A scene from Kathadi Ramamurthy’s latest Tamil play, Jugalbandi, , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The recent incessant rains didn’t dampen anyone’s spirit to watch a Tamil play at Vani Mahal. Expectations ran high when it was announced: “Kathadi Ramamurthy’s Jugalbandi.”
As the title suggests, the play brings together two renowned theater groups – JB Creations and Stage Creations. Not only this, it also has artistes from both the troupes.
Written and directed by SL Nanu, it is the 53rd play by Stage Creations and the 66th for Kathadi Ramamurthy, whose tryst with the stage began in 1953.
a scene from a tamil drama, Jugalbandi, , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The drama revolves around a retired officer Sivaraman (Kathadi Ramamurthy), who wishes for his son to live in an old age home instead, and his efforts to help a young couple adopt a child. Is.
The curtain rises with Shankar Mahadevan’s ‘Ek Dhantha Vakra Thandaya Gauri Thanayya Dimahi’ in the background, and Ganesan (Sivaraman’s son) enters his office talking to his wife Girija on the phone.
Ganesan gets angry at her when she tells him that his father Sivaraman should be sent to an old age home. Overhearing this exchange, Ganesan’s colleague Nandini offers to take care of his father. Although Ganesan is initially hesitant because Sivaraman has dementia, (or so he makes everyone believe), he eventually agrees and relocates his father to Nandini’s house, which is against the wishes of her family. is against. The situation initially worsens with the arrival of Sivaraman.
While Nandini’s mother-in-law Lalitha taunts her for refusing to have a child, Sivaraman overhears Nandini and her husband Vignesh discussing adopting a child. To help the young couple succeed in their mission, Sivaraman comes up with a plan. He engages an astrologer (Ganpati Shankar) to make the mother-in-law agree with his decision.
feature of veteran
Kathadi Ramamurthy’s six decades long experience in theater reflects in his acting. His plays always give a social message steeped in humour. So it is in this drama also. It talks about old age homes, dementia and adoption.
Apart from the plot, the music (Charan) deserves special mention with brief tabla intervals and Carnatic ragas. However, a little more care should be taken when changing the backdrop screen.
The one-and-a-half-hour play features sets by Saidai Kumar, lights by Mayilai Babu and title music by Kaushik Venkatesan. Technical production is done by Bobby and Johnny. The cast includes Srinivas, Venky, Sai Prasad, Anu Suresh and Geetha Narayan.