Malegalalli madumagalu
A book contains a story whose course has been decided by its author. And for a book like Malegalalli madumagalu, the course had been scripted decades ago by one of India's best authors. You have to be daring enough to think of the plot in an evolved manner,to be able to add your own value additions and insights. And for a true fan of any book, while attempting to reproduce the book in any other format, you would ask yourself first- Is this how it was visualized by the author? If you can convince yourself that you are doing complete justice, dismissing any other doubts dwelling within-then the first hurdle is crossed. To get a section of the community to accept your perspective,is the next mammoth step. Because,if the author was present,then he'd be your best judge. But in the absence of the author,your best bet would be his fans,followers and admirers. If your stunt has been approved,accepted and appreciated by the audience-then you have won your battle. One such battle has been won by Mr.Basavalingaiah when he brought Kuvempu's epic novel Malegalalli madumagalu on stage.
When the announcement of Rangayana's theatrical experiment was splashed across newspapers and billboards ( In Blore too!! ), my mum caught the bug,like the dog catches the scent of food. She explained the terms of the play- 9 hr thingy, starts at night ends early in the morn and will go on all night. To give you an introduction, my mum is a sleeping champ. She can sleep anywhere doing anything. Reading paper,watching her fav soap, chopping veggies, standing in the bus..... you name the situation-she's done it there. And when she mentioned her plans of staying awake through the play, me and dad laughed it off. Kudos to mum,'cause she did not give up on us-and kept pestering dad to get hold of the tickets. A couple of days passed by,and i caught the bug too. I was curious to know what the big deal was about!
So finally, mum successfully roped in her college pals, one of from coming from Blore just for it. 15 days before the show,she starts craving for the book herself. Inspite of having read it way back in college,she mentioned it every time i spoke to her. So finally, i arrived with the book in hand-only to find my mum dissolving into childish enthusiasm at the very sight of the book. I had never ever seen my mum so delighted and happy on being given anything. And d-day arrived. I had worked the whole day,and i'd hardly caught a wink.
We were welcomed by the director of the play. He was there all right, at the entrance to the play,urging the audiences to go ahead and catch a good seat for the play. He did not have any airs about his venture,and easily mingled with one and all through the play. The seating arrangements were very casual-wooden steps acting as seats,and a few chairs thrown in here and there. A majority of the crowd were composed of 40 plusses,so when i looked around-i felt out of place. But before i could sink into the odd man out feeling,the play kicked off. Before coming, i'd read a few lines of the book. I was pleased to find the same few lines delivered by the actors punched with a lot of emotions. As the play advanced, i was completely magnetised by the play. The mosquitoes didn't matter any more. The colorful costumes and veritable accents replaced everything else. I was immediately drawn by the charisma of the actress portraying peenchlu. I still havent figured out which one was better-the actress or the charecter. My most fav scenes would be - the beesekallu scene, the huliya and handi's fight, and timmi's mum faking the gods entering her body. Well orchestrated,all 3 of them. A couple of teas,popcorn and buns later,the play concluded to the early morning sunrays,chirping of birds and a warm applause. When i asked one of the actors regarding their efforts put into the preparation-she just told me it was reading,re-reading and re-re-reading of the book. Basavalingaiah wanted us to understand before enacting. As my mum willing put me to bed after we returned,i felt immensely satisfied on being a spectator. It was as if the play was being enacted for me,and the rest of the audience virtually vanished into thin air. This 9 hour experience has left a lasting impression...
P.S : I agree this was a long post,but what did u expect out of a 9 hour play??!!!
When the announcement of Rangayana's theatrical experiment was splashed across newspapers and billboards ( In Blore too!! ), my mum caught the bug,like the dog catches the scent of food. She explained the terms of the play- 9 hr thingy, starts at night ends early in the morn and will go on all night. To give you an introduction, my mum is a sleeping champ. She can sleep anywhere doing anything. Reading paper,watching her fav soap, chopping veggies, standing in the bus..... you name the situation-she's done it there. And when she mentioned her plans of staying awake through the play, me and dad laughed it off. Kudos to mum,'cause she did not give up on us-and kept pestering dad to get hold of the tickets. A couple of days passed by,and i caught the bug too. I was curious to know what the big deal was about!
So finally, mum successfully roped in her college pals, one of from coming from Blore just for it. 15 days before the show,she starts craving for the book herself. Inspite of having read it way back in college,she mentioned it every time i spoke to her. So finally, i arrived with the book in hand-only to find my mum dissolving into childish enthusiasm at the very sight of the book. I had never ever seen my mum so delighted and happy on being given anything. And d-day arrived. I had worked the whole day,and i'd hardly caught a wink.
We were welcomed by the director of the play. He was there all right, at the entrance to the play,urging the audiences to go ahead and catch a good seat for the play. He did not have any airs about his venture,and easily mingled with one and all through the play. The seating arrangements were very casual-wooden steps acting as seats,and a few chairs thrown in here and there. A majority of the crowd were composed of 40 plusses,so when i looked around-i felt out of place. But before i could sink into the odd man out feeling,the play kicked off. Before coming, i'd read a few lines of the book. I was pleased to find the same few lines delivered by the actors punched with a lot of emotions. As the play advanced, i was completely magnetised by the play. The mosquitoes didn't matter any more. The colorful costumes and veritable accents replaced everything else. I was immediately drawn by the charisma of the actress portraying peenchlu. I still havent figured out which one was better-the actress or the charecter. My most fav scenes would be - the beesekallu scene, the huliya and handi's fight, and timmi's mum faking the gods entering her body. Well orchestrated,all 3 of them. A couple of teas,popcorn and buns later,the play concluded to the early morning sunrays,chirping of birds and a warm applause. When i asked one of the actors regarding their efforts put into the preparation-she just told me it was reading,re-reading and re-re-reading of the book. Basavalingaiah wanted us to understand before enacting. As my mum willing put me to bed after we returned,i felt immensely satisfied on being a spectator. It was as if the play was being enacted for me,and the rest of the audience virtually vanished into thin air. This 9 hour experience has left a lasting impression...
P.S : I agree this was a long post,but what did u expect out of a 9 hour play??!!!
Comments
http://puddlesofsunshine.blogspot.com/2010/06/collosal-auraan-evening-at-ranga.html
Had met one of the actors in DD Urs Rd a few days ago. Told me, how they did the play out of their interests, and were paid nominally for the whole spectacle. And also, the people of Kuppali, Kuvempu's birth place are urging them to perform in their village. In their defence, all they have to say is-this is where he wrote it, and this is where this drama should be enacted. :)