SD Sundaram, who made a splash with his first game, Kavin Kanavu
Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The history of the Tamil Theater is delightful with many fundamentalists, which are working works that have stood on the test of time and are inspired by generations of actors and directors. Today, when installed and amateur circles are experimenting with new topics on stage, it would be a good idea to remember how some Yesteear theater personalities thought prematurely. One such SD was Sundaram (1921–1979).
In the middle of the 20th century, Sundaram was born in Athura near Salem, one of the major playwrights of the Tamil stage. He entered the theater at an early age, attending the drama Madurai Devi Bala Vinodha Sangatha Sabha of Nawab Rajmanikam Pillai around 1933. Given his interest and skill in the great works of Tamil literature Athichuwadi, Corer And this Thiruvarutpa,
Nawab Rajmanikam (L) along with the then Chief Justice PV Rajmannar during the drama staging Dasavatharam, Photo Credit: Hindu Archives
In 1942, Sundaram was imprisoned for nine months for participation in the freedom movement. Once out of jail, he rejected the Nawab Rajmanikam Pillai’s troupe, only to give a branch on his own after a while. In 1944, with the blessings of his guru, Sundaram and another young man from the congregation, TK Thangvelu (Known is better in the theater and cinema world and cinema as TK Krishnaswamy), left Madurai Devi Bala Vinodha Sangeet Sabha to launch Sathi Nataka Sabha. Their first production was Kavin KanavuWritten by Sundaram himself.
A star stud-cast in which MN Nambiar (who had discovered the drama of Nawab Rajamanikam Pillai as his dramatic dynasty) was included as Rajguru and SV Sabbaiya, as the poet extended the play’s appeal with his performance. The play was premiered in 1944, a review that appeared in 1945, showing that it was ahead of its time in terms of adopting new techniques and technology in the performance of the play. For the beginning, it had only one song, unheard of in an era when the songs were still an integral part of stage plays. Secondly, it used electrical lights for good effects. Another aspect was the design of the stage. The two columns were set in the middle of the platform and were moved to the left or right, depending on the requirement of a particular scene. It also used slide projections to introduce the play artists and crew. Rajguru was introduced using shadow technology.
SD Sundaram is being honored by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister CN Annadurai on 12 February 1968: Hindu Archives: Hindu Archives
The play was influenced by the poet’s strong political views, trying to free his motherland from the clutches of the villain (from a foreign power). A drama called ‘Kanavu’ set within this drama created a spirit of patriotism among the poet’s countrymen. It spoke about his dreams of poverty-free, equal society. As it was around the throat of our country’s freedom, this drama was a great success.
Famous playwright-Piete Bhartidasana who presided over a demonstration in Dindigul spoke in bright words about the performance of the actors. The play proved a significant turn in Nambiar and Sabbaiya’s career. Somasundaram of Jupiter Pictures, which was influenced by his performance, hired him on a contract for his production house. When Nambiar could not continue the performance of the play due to his growing film commitments, Mental fell on a young man, who would become one of the major lyricists of Tamil cinema, although in short, Pattukotai Kalyanasundaram.
Sundaram drove the writer’s plays in this way Ann Kadhai, Arvinder And Name ThaiHe was also a dialogue writer for many successful films Ondre kulam, Mohini MGR was first associated with VN Janaki) and Kapalotia TamizanIn 1973, he wrote a drama title Veera SudhandhiramTo mark the silver jubilee of Indian independence. That year, it was inaugurated at the centenary celebrations of theater veteran Pamal Santa Mudaliyar, in which R. There were many film stars like Muthuraman, TK Bhagwati, TR Ramachandran, vs. Raghavan and others.
Sundaram also served as a member of the upper house of the TN Legislature between 1964 and 1968 and also as the secretary of Iyal Isai Nataka Manram from 1968 to 1976. He died in 1979.
Published – May 28, 2025 01:58 pm IST
