Tamil drama Kannamma is a haunting tale of grief and vengeance

Ajay Entertainers’ Kannamma (Produced by M. Jansirani; story, dialogue and direction by D. Mallikaraj) begins with a chilling scene: a woman’s murder; and his 10-year-old daughter, Kannamma, who kills the killer. She is sent to a reform school, where she spends her childhood. As a teenager, Kannamma was released, using her time in juvenile prison to improve her Tamil and poetry writing. Despite his accomplishments, avenging his mother’s death remains his passion.

Eventually, Kannamma finds the person behind the murder and kills him. This gloomy rendition depicts a child’s innocence crushed by an adult intent on revenge. The play unfolds as a haunting tapestry of grief and rage, showing how trauma can shatter a child’s fragile psyche. As the story progresses, we realize that the biggest crime was not just murder but also psychological torture of the child. The LED sets, designed by P. Lakshmi Narayanan, were a visual delight – the hilly beauty of Shimla with the rich interiors of the houses, and the dank corridors of the correctional institution. But, there was a mistake – there were coconut trees in Shimla! Some threads were missing, due to which continuity was lost. How did Lily (Barthy) choose a lawyer who later turns out to be connected to the family? The reason for Lily’s murder could not be clarified.

Saismriti’s portrayal of the school girl Kannamma was realistic and the cold fury in her eyes was disturbing. Priya Kannamma also performed well as Kishori-Kannamma. Fortunately, there was no heavy-handed moral at the end of the play. The playwright showed the audience what grief does to a child who does not know how to deal with loss, and it had a long-lasting impact on audiences.