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A medley in his memory
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``Manadhil Urudhi Vendum'' organised by the Kalki Sadasivam Memorial Trust transported the audience to a bygone era when art, culture and literature revealed an unceasing love for the nation.
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THE TIMELINESS of the event and the timelessness of the subject itself enhanced the impact of ``Manadhil Urudhi Vendum'', the cultural show presented by the Kalki Sadasivam Memorial Trust at the Kalakshetra auditorium. Scripted and directed by Gowri Ramnarayan, the programme had been organised in connection with the Kalki Sadasivam Centenary.
The Trust that was created in 1999 to perpetuate the memory of T.S's commitment to public service, presents the Kalki Sadasivam award annually to the most socially conscious and artistic Tamil advertisement. The Trust also gives scholarships to deserving students specialising in advertising, public relations and mass communication.
The concept of "Manadhil Urudhi Vendum" that had Kalki Sadasivam as the pivot dwelt on religious tolerance and communal congeniality — so relevant at present when disharmony is at its zenith and forbearance at its nadir.
Here had been a man, who had rubbed shoulders with all-time greats, had been the driving force behind his wife's incredible success in music, and who was a litterateur, a journalist, a patriot, a film-maker and a connoisseur.
Rightly did Dr. B. Ramamurthy in his address refer to T. Sadasivam as one who ``personified Hindu dharma'' and queried why this simple yet great man's life of sacrifice, intrepidity and non violence should not be taught to the younger generations, for emulation and inspiration.
"Allow us to take you to different moments in time,'' said Shankar Ramachandran in his welcome speech that was sprinkled with interesting anecdotes about his ``Chinna Thatha''. ``Manadhil Urudhi Vendum'' did just that — it transported you to a bygone era when art, culture and literature revealed an unceasing love for the nation. Interestingly, the life of T.S was not chronologically outlined — it went back and forth in time.
Generally one form of art — dance, drama or music — is adopted to depict a life history. But Gowri seems to have wanted a little of everything. So ``Manadhil Urudhi Vendum'' had narration, dialogue, video clippings, music and dance. The melange may not have been completely gripping nevertheless it sustained audience interest right through.
The multimedia show opened with Anuradha Kannan and Tiruppur Krishnan, the presenters, planning a documentary film on Sadasivam, a simple, noble soul who was the pillar of strength and a guiding light to his wife and a diligent worker who slogged untiringly for his friends. And as the story of his life unfolded, there was a dance sequence by Urmila Sathyanarayana. Memorable songs that were an inseparable part of the lives of M.S and T.S, from Subramanya Bharati to Adi Shankara and from Meera Bhajan to Annamacharya and Rajaji were beautifully incorporated to project salient aspects of their life together. The songs were expressively sung by Bombay Jayashri and N.Vijay Siva.
It was gentle romance when the first and subsequent meetings between M.S. and Sadasivam were described. It was patriotism and piety when both his aggressiveness and ahimsa were explained. It was duty and kinship when his loyalty and affection for Rajaji and Kalki were discussed and it was sadness and sentiment when the narration touched upon the financial crunch that led to the closing down of Kalki in 1977. The melding of virtues and values in a man, who was happy to make those around him famous, while he himself remained in the background, was well brought out.
But carrying the depiction forward stating that a film on T.S was being made and so calling out to the ``boy'' now and then to screen the clippings, were segments that seemed rather contrived.
Vijay Siva's ``Allah... Allah!'' in the Carnatic mode with all its nuances was received well. He and Bombay Jayashri presented a fiesta for music lovers that evening. The choice of songs and the soulful singing made it a nostalgic experience for those who had grown up listening to M.S's music.
The smooth, confident and flawless presentation by Anuradha Kannan and Tiruppur Krishnan warrants special mention.
As so many forms of expression had been put together, cohesiveness was a minor casualty.
All the same, it was clear that the task was by no means easy because the subject was all but ordinary. The diligence of the crew was evident throughout.
Despite the humidity in the hall and the mike playing truant (Krishnan himself in a lighter vein remarked that ``there were problems everywhere including the mike"), the audience stayed on till the end. Besides the show holding their interest, probably it was their way of paying tribute to the great Sadasivam.
``It is a pity M.S is not here this evening,'' said Dr.Ramamurthy. True — everyone present must have felt the void.
MALATHI RANGARAJAN
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