Dialogue is its strong point

ANOTHER STORY of sacrifice. Sacrifice that predictably proves thankless. Yet, away from the near-static, melodramic mega TV serials beamed in every drawing room, watching a reasonably fast paced family drama on stage, was a refreshing experience.

The play ``Sondhamilladha Bandhangal'', is Kala Nilayam's recent production, conceived, written and directed by K.S.N. Sundar. It has been produced by K.S. Nagarajan.

Raghavan's brother Sabesan dies in a road accident. The future appears bleak to the wife, Raji, and her two sons who are still in school.

But Raghavan takes on the responsibility, brings up the children and helps them secure a high position in life.

The elder one Chandru (Akshayakumar) is a chartered accountant and Suresh (Ravikumar) the other son plans to go abroad for his Masters in Business Management.

Raghavan meanwhile rises to the position of General Manager of a firm, but remains unmarried for the sake of his brother's family.

Raji, Chandru and Suresh feel extremely indebted to Raghavan, because of whom their family had come up well in life.

Padmanabhan, Raji's brother, who had hitherto done nothing to help Raji's family, enters the scene and it is storm in the peaceful household thereafter.

Melodrama does go beyond acceptable limits in ``Sondhamilladha Bandhangal''.

The man who sacrifices a lot for his entire family, need not give up his self-respect too. And Raghavan does exactly that. It only irritates the onlooker.

In the climax when Chandru accuses him of swindling his father's money, Raghavan raves and rants. It is a monologue on self- pity. Surprisingly, Raji who is always on Raghavan's side, does not utter a word in his defence, though Raghavan had already given the money to her. The reason for her stoic silence is a mystery.

The dialogues are strong and effective and make an impact. The rambling in the final stages however, could have been avoided. Raji, who is portrayed as a stern and strong woman, suddenly becomes a weakling in the last scene. Another incongruity that does not jell.

Ravikumar as Suresh, presents a neat and subdued portrayal.

He particularly stands out in the scene where he confronts his brother and sister-in-law.

Dialogues are also a plus point of this scene. K.S.N. Sundar himself dons the role of Raghavan.

There is no newness in thought, or innovation in the plot. So you get the feeling that you are watching a story of the 1960s or even earlier.

The wheel-chair wife sentiment also irks. Why does the man have to offer an explanation for his wanting to get married, albeit late in the day?

It is rather sad that people who sit for hours on end in front of the idiot box, do not even give a though to theatre activities in the city.

Public encouragement could probably work wonders for Tamil theatre. The handful of viewers at Rani Seethai hall that evening is a case in point.

MALATHI RANGARAJAN

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