August 24, 2005
Laxmi Rao Aroor and Sumathi Pangal have had a dramatic bond stretching over 40 years, the latter acting the male role. It all started with the presentation of Satyawan-Savitri in Don Bosco Hall on November 8, 1964. It was staged to raise funds for the Shishu Nilaya, ( foundling home ) of the Bhagini Samaj at Jeppu. The tickets were priced at Rs.25 and it was 'house ful'l. Sumathi acted as Satyawan and Laxmi as Savitri. In this case, as also later fund-raising dramas, the well-known Aroor and Pangal families used their community, social and business networking to ensure a full house and impressive fund-collection.
The next outing, in 1965, was in the Town Hall with its vast seating capacity, with the presentation of Nachiketa, wherein Laxmi acted as Nachilketa’s mother and Sumathi as his father. The show netted Rs. 25,000 – an impressive amount then. This one was also in aid of Bhagini Samaj where Laxmi was vice president and Sumathi a committee member. For both these plays, P K. Narayan, Kannada teacher in Besant High School, was the director.
The next play, Bimakkana Bheemapasa, a comedy on an aborted fast for the welfare of the husband, was presented for the Mahila Sabha. At this stage Sumathi, a writer of note by now, started scripting plays herself. The next play, Mahottama Marata ( High-pitched Marketing) was a parody on auctioning marriageable sons – a play with an anti-dowry theme. This was presented at the Mahila Sabha as also for the Ashraya, the Senior Citizens platform at KMC Attavar. The Mahila Sabha show was part of the competition and admittance was free.
Laxmi and Sumathi are now in the thick of preparing for the next presentation at KMC Attavar on October 1, 2005 for the Senior Citizen Day. The title of the play is Lacchanada Ill (House of Good Omen) wherein the landlord tries to lure prospective tenants by singing the praises of his house for renting.
Sumathi now sticks to female roles because as age advances - both of them are in their 70s - she cannot cope with the hassle of make-up like wigs and beard. But they have gone a long way in dramatics, considering that acting was taboo, at the risk of rejection by eligible conservative grooms, for girls of their Brahmin families. In fact, Laxmi was severely reprimanded by her parents when they came to know that she had joined drama classes in school and was promptly made to take up Veena lessons. Sumathi also had to encounter disapproving eyebrows raised for playing the male role. But, their spouses were very supportive. Samuel Johnson said, " The drama’s laws, the drama’s patrons give."
By this yardstick, full houses were the reward for Laxmi and Sumathi.
John Monteiro Column: Archives
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- Mangalore Tiles Crown Victoria Terminus
- Meet 103-year-old Venkappaya
- Pavoor - The Only Place for Church Services in Tulu
- Gujarati Doctor Set to Mark Mangala Gold
- Kadri Kambla's Hidden Treasure
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