Latest news with #Sabapathy
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Madras Week 2025: Evolution of Tamil theatre in Chennai
Over the past century, Tamil theatre and the city of Chennai have evolved in tandem. From puranic tales and nationalist dramas to political satires and tech-driven experiments, the city's stages were influenced by its social and cultural shifts. Thiruvottiyur Kasiviswanatha Mudaliar made pioneering efforts as early as the 1860s with his play Dumbachary Vilasam. Pammal Sambandha Mudaliyar, regarded as the father of modern Tamil theatre, founded the Suguna Vilasa Sabha in 1891 in Madras, first based in George Town and later on moved to Mount Road. The sabha popularised prose plays with realistic acting and minimal songs. Sambandha Mudaliyar wrote over 100 plays, acting in most of them. His comic masterpiece Sabapathy won wide acclaim. The Victoria Public Hall was a major venue for his troupe. Sankaradas Swamigal professionalised theatre by training artists through his Samarasa Sanmarga Sabha. His work spurred the rise of Boys' Companies, which staged numerous hits. In 1922, during the Swadeshi Movement, T.P. Krishnasamy Pavalar's Kadharin Vettri was banned by the British in Madras. Retitled Kadhar Bhakti, it was later performed nationwide, even at an exhibition in London. Feminist theatre activist A. Mangai recalls that in the early 20th Century, Balamani Ammal broke new ground as an actor and producer by founding the first woman-run theatre company with an all-female cast. Along with her sister Rajambal, she staged the first adaptation of J.R. Rangaraju's detective novel Rajambal. Othavadai Theatre near Central Station was another important hub, hosting stalwarts such as M.R. Radha and N.S. Krishnan. The T.K.S. Brothers dominated the stage for decades with plays like Uyiroviyam, Rajaraja Cholan, and Avvaiyar. Ms. Mangai says Tamil theatre's themes were never wholly puranic. Works such as Kovalan Kadhai portrayed the lives of ordinary people, while others addressed political and social issues. The Dravidian movement brought socio-political narratives to Tamil theatre through figures such as C.N. Annadurai, M. Karunanidhi, and M.R. Radha, who later left their mark on cinema and politics. By the mid-20th Century, sabhas with paid memberships flourished in south Madras. Mylapore and T. Nagar were studded with sabhas, staging everything from puranas to political satires. Komal Swaminthan played an instrumental role in organising annual theatre festivals in Madras. Several plays by Cho. Ramasamy, Bombay Gnanam, Kathadi Ramamurthy, Y. Gee. Mahendra, Sekhar, and Crazy Mohan laced with melodrama and humour received wide appreciation among the middle class. Evergreen comedy 'Crazy Mohan used to take themes from household situations and add loud humour to it. We continue to stage a play that we first staged in 1979 with the same theme. Audiences enjoyed it back then, they still relish it now,' says playwright 'Maadhu' Balaji, Crazy Mohan's brother. In the 1980s, troupes such as Koothu-P-Pattrai, founded by N. Muthuswamy, and Chennai Kalai Kuzhu, led by Pralayan, focused on contemporary social issues, adding a fresh dimension to Tamil theatre. Ms. Mangai said iconic dancer-choreographer Chandralekha's Spaces Auditorium in Besant Nagar had become a home for theatre groups experimenting and conducting workshops. Chennai Sangamam, the annual cultural festival, has also played a key role in making performances more accessible to the public. Amateur Tamil theatre artist Karthik Bhatt says, 'More troupes are coming up in Chennai and experimenting with different themes and new production values. They also engage in novel methods and make active attempts to take theatre to the next generation.' Today, venues such as Chennai Theatre Academy, Medai, Idam, and Sangamam keep Tamil theatre vibrant. Yet, shrinking performances and rehearsal spaces remain a concern. 'Availability and accessibility of places for rehearsals and group performances have shrunk. We should reimagine urban spaces. Architects and urban planners should take into account developing spaces for creative art forms,' Ms. Mangai adds.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
The themes that drive Tamil theatre
Over the past century, Tamil theatre and the city of Chennai have evolved in tandem. From puranic tales and nationalist dramas to political satires and tech-driven experiments, the city's stages were influenced by its social and cultural shifts. Thiruvottiyur Kasiviswanatha Mudaliar made pioneering efforts as early as the 1860s with his play Dumbachary Vilasam. Pammal Sambandha Mudaliyar, regarded as the father of modern Tamil theatre, founded the Suguna Vilasa Sabha in 1891 in Madras, first based in George Town and later on moved to Mount Road. The sabha popularised prose plays with realistic acting and minimal songs. Sambandha Mudaliyar wrote over 100 plays, acting in most of them. His comic masterpiece Sabapathy won wide acclaim. The Victoria Public Hall was a major venue for his troupe. Sankaradas Swamigal professionalised theatre by training artists through his Samarasa Sanmarga Sabha. His work spurred the rise of Boys' Companies, which staged numerous hits. In 1922, during the Swadeshi Movement, T.P. Krishnasamy Pavalar's Kadharin Vettri was banned by the British in Madras. Retitled Kadhar Bhakti, it was later performed nationwide, even at an exhibition in London. Feminist theatre activist A. Mangai recalls that in the early 20th Century, Balamani Ammal broke new ground as an actor and producer by founding the first woman-run theatre company with an all-female cast. Along with her sister Rajambal, she staged the first adaptation of J.R. Rangaraju's detective novel Rajambal. Othavadai Theatre near Central Station was another important hub, hosting stalwarts such as M.R. Radha and N.S. Krishnan. The T.K.S. Brothers dominated the stage for decades with plays like Uyiroviyam, Rajaraja Cholan, and Avvaiyar. Ms. Mangai says Tamil theatre's themes were never wholly puranic. Works such as Kovalan Kadhai portrayed the lives of ordinary people, while others addressed political and social issues. The Dravidian movement brought socio-political narratives to Tamil theatre through figures such as C.N. Annadurai, M. Karunanidhi, and M.R. Radha, who later left their mark on cinema and politics. By the mid-20th Century, sabhas with paid memberships flourished in south Madras. Mylapore and T. Nagar were studded with sabhas, staging everything from puranas to political satires. Komal Swaminthan played an instrumental role in organising annual theatre festivals in Madras. Several plays by Cho. Ramasamy, Bombay Gnanam, Kathadi Ramamurthy, Y. Gee. Mahendra, Sekhar, and Crazy Mohan laced with melodrama and humour received wide appreciation among the middle class. Evergreen comedy 'Crazy Mohan used to take themes from household situations and add loud humour to it. We continue to stage a play that we first staged in 1979 with the same theme. Audiences enjoyed it back then, they still relish it now,' says playwright 'Maadhu' Balaji, Crazy Mohan's brother. In the 1980s, troupes such as Koothu-P-Pattrai, founded by N. Muthuswamy, and Chennai Kalai Kuzhu, led by Pralayan, focused on contemporary social issues, adding a fresh dimension to Tamil theatre. Ms. Mangai said iconic dancer-choreographer Chandralekha's Spaces Auditorium in Besant Nagar had become a home for theatre groups experimenting and conducting workshops. Chennai Sangamam, the annual cultural festival, has also played a key role in making performances more accessible to the public. Amateur Tamil theatre artist Karthik Bhatt says, 'More troupes are coming up in Chennai and experimenting with different themes and new production values. They also engage in novel methods and make active attempts to take theatre to the next generation.' Today, venues such as Chennai Theatre Academy, Medai, Idam, and Sangamam keep Tamil theatre vibrant. Yet, shrinking performances and rehearsal spaces remain a concern. 'Availability and accessibility of places for rehearsals and group performances have shrunk. We should reimagine urban spaces. Architects and urban planners should take into account developing spaces for creative art forms,' Ms. Mangai adds.
New Indian Express
26-04-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
Kasturirangan gave SRV a science and technology boost
KOCHI: In the passing of eminent , the SRV High School in Kochi has lost an illustrious alumni. The school held a special place in his heart and he had always been in touch with the Old Students' Association (OSA) office-bearers to enquire about the activities happening there. 'Right from the launch of OSA in 2003, Kasturirangan had been actively associated with the efforts to improve his alma mater,' former SRV OSA president and Krishna Hospital director Dr A K Sabapathy tells TNIE. Kasturirangan joined SRV in Class 3, in 1947, he recalls. 'He did Classes 1 and 2 at a school in Tripunithura. He studied up to Class 5 in SRV and left for Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1950. I was in Class 9 then.' The former Isro chief had always said the schooling he had at SRV during his formative years played a great role in moulding his life, Dr Sabapathy says. For good measure, Kasturirangan decided to show his gratitude by setting up a Science and Technology Museum at the school. 'He got Rs 1 crore sanctioned from the MP fund (he was a Rajya Sabha member from 2003-09) and set up the museum to ensure that the students passing out from SRV would have developed a scientific temper. The museum was inaugurated in 2006 by the then President A P J Abdul Kalam,' Dr Sabapathy says. In an interview with TNIE during the 175th anniversary of the school, Kasturirangan had fondly remembered his SRV years as the most eventful. 'In our class, a few tables were kept apart for the members of the Cochin royal family. These boys used to come in a limousine and enter the class just a minute before the lessons. This was to keep a level of separation between the children of the royal family and the commoners,' Kasturirangan had reminisced. He had also mentioned a meeting with the Cochin Maharaja at a function during his stint as the chairman of ISRO. 'He too was a student around the time I was at SRV. We exchanged some very pleasant experiences of sharing the same class between royalty and commoners,' the space scientist had said. While he took a keen interest in the school's activities, he could not visit the institution often as he spent much of his time in Bengaluru, Dr Sabapathy points out. 'But SRV, which has produced many illustrious personalities over the years, held a very high place in his heart. We mourn his loss which has left a big void,' he said.
CBS News
29-01-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Philadelphia mayor calls death of Temple student who fell from pole during Eagles celebration "terrible tragedy"
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker called the death of 18-year-old Temple University student Tyler Sabapathy a "terrible, terrible tragedy" and cautioned fans against climbing poles during future celebrations. Parker also sent her condolences to the family during an unrelated press conference inside City Hall Wednesday. "I want to continue to reaffirm and echo the same sentiments that I said before that game, asking the public to refrain from climbing poles," the mayor said. Sabapathy died after he climbed a light pole and fell near City Hall during the Eagles NFC championship celebrations Sunday night. The Toronto native was a student at Temple who studied exercise and sports science. He was also on the university's men's gymnastics team. The team remembered him in an Instagram post, saying he was "an exceptional athlete" and "outstanding person." The gymnastics team also said "he represented his family and our university with the utmost class." Students at Temple University said the news came as a shock. They found out in an email late Tuesday night. "Just feel so sorry for his parents, his friends, his loved ones. It's sad," one student said. Philadelphia Police said the department has launched an investigation into Sabapathy's death. The department also said safety plans for potential Super Bowl celebrations will be released at a later time. The mayor said safety will continue to be the city's top priority. "[Police] are going to continue doing what they've been doing, and that is to make the public's health and safety of Philadelphia our No. 1 priority," she said.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Toronto teen hurt while celebrating Eagles win in Philadelphia dies from his injuries
A Toronto boys' school is mourning a former student who died after falling from a street pole in Philadelphia as fans celebrated the Eagles' victory in Sunday's NFC championship game. St. Michael's College School says Tyler Sabapathy, who graduated from the school last year, was "an exceptional student-athlete, a talented gymnast, and a friend to many within the SMCS community." "His joy for life, spirit, and outstanding pursuit of excellence inspired us all," the school said in a statement, adding his death has left the community "heartbroken." The school said it would continue to honour Sabapathy's memory and offer support to its community in the days to come. Philadelphia's Temple University, the school Sabapathy was attending, announced the 18-year-old's death in a statement posted on its website Tuesday. Sabapathy was an accomplished gymnast who was a freshman studying in the school's College of Public Health, where he was majoring in exercise and sport science. Witnesses have said Sabapathy climbed to the top of the pole before he fell onto the sidewalk and struck his head. He was taken to a hospital where he died on Tuesday. Sabapathy had been active in gymnastics for most of his life and earned more than 120 medals in provincial, regional, and international competitions, the statement said. He also was active with Temple's gymnastics team. The teen previously said he decided to study exercise and sports science because of what he experienced in his training as an athlete. "After sustaining many injuries throughout my career, I have begun to understand the human body in a new way. Throughout my training, I have learned about the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that are important for proper movement," he said in a post on St. Michael's website announcing his choice of university. At the time, Sabapathy said he planned to compete in five gymnastics events at Temple. He grew up training and competing with the East York Gymnastics Club in Toronto, training for 20 hours a week for the better part of a decade, he said in the statement. -with files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 29, 2025. The Associated Press
