A touch of drama to Madras

On the topic of Tamil theatre in Chennai, K. Thambi Parthasarathy is a voice to be reckoned with. He has been on its front line from the late 1960s to the 2010s, both as a performer and an observer of trends. Seventy five years old, he has taken the foot off the pedal in recent years, but only slightly — he is often a face in the audience at plays staged at the Sabhas of South Chennai, particularly those in Mylapore and Mandaveli, the latter his home turf. Over the decades, Thambi has seen acting heavyweights up close, their acting skills being shaped and crystallised by the stage and exported to the silver screen and the tellie. A typical example is that of Raja Venkatraman becoming actor Srikanth. Thambi himself has had dalliances with these electronic mediums, but never let them supplant his love for the stage. During much of his active theatre career, Thambi held a government job, being on the rolls of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB). The stage is easier on the practitioner in terms of time. Convenient late-evening hours can be scooped out of the week for rehearsals. The weekend can be arm-twisted without any resistance into accommodating performances. In case that gives the impression that Thambi viewed theatre as something to be pursued on the sidelines, take this. He took home the Best Actor award by the Mylapore Academy in 1991. Long-time Tamil theatre aficionados would remember his standout performance in Komal Swaminathan’s Thanneer Thanneer; as also the one as Azhvarkadiyar in Ponniyin Selvan, directed for the stage by Prakash Kutty. Not a surprise when you consider that his passion for theatre was born early and home-brewed. Thambi’s father S. Kannan (a chartered accountant who had been engaged in the freedom struggle) co-founded Entertainers Group with his friends, Director Chellappa and Bala Subramaniam. A young Thambi started wearing greasepaint for the stage, encouraged by Director Chellappa, who helmed seven of Entertainers Group’s stage productions. Thambi would emulate his father in as much he would keep his day job and passion for theatre in tightly-sealed compartments, ensuring justice is done to both. Rehearsals were almost always held at Thambi’s Mandaveli home. For every play, the cast committed themselves to a minimum of 30 days’ practice before facing the audience. The 1,500 sq.ft house had a thatched-roof first floor, a space that became their cocoon of creativity and growth.