The Dramatic Arts : Kadal Pura

Kadal Pura originally written by Chandilyan (Bhashyam Iyengar) in 1967 was inaugurated on April 10th 2016 at Chennai by Mayiladudhurai Sri Sankara Narayana Sabha. 

Kadal Pura tells the story of the exploits of a Chola general in the high seas of the Indian Ocean.

Directors- Kalai Selvam Sambu & Baskar
Sets, Costumes - Padma Stage Kannan
Lights - Mano Lights
Make Up - Bonda Mani
Background Music - Kandasamy
Song Composition – Soundaryan, Sung By Nehru & Namitha
Stage Management - Raja Mansingh, Ira. Mutharasan, V. Srinivasan
Action sequence - Selvam
Produced by - Raj Vishual Arts for Sridevi Fine arts

Cast - Karunakara Pallavan - Satheesh Gyanaprakasam, Akshatha - Arasankudi Jyothi, Balavarmar - A Sundharrajan, Jeyavarmar - Raja Mansingh, Kandiyathevan - G Selvam, Manjal Azhagi - Shantohisri
Kanchana Devi - J Devi, Anabhaaya Cholan – Muralikrishnan, Ameer - K Raja, Koolavanigan Sendhan - V Srinivasan, Guna Varmar - M Annamalai, Idumban - D Venkatesh, Dacoit Chief - P Ramadasan, Beemavarmar - S Rajasekar, Chief of Vijayasamrajya – Srilesh, Anandha Varmar- Art Sivasankar, Dwarf of Bali - J Senthil Kumar, Cheif of Chola Army - S Ramakrishnan, Soilder/ Merchant - N Sokkalingam, Merchant - A Namasivayam, Minister – Viay, Fisherman / Minister – Ganesan, Soilders – Ramesh and Prasanna, Abrongi Soilder and Cheiften of Malayoou - K Selvam, Dacoit deputy cheif - M R Ravi, Boat Handler & Soilder - Sundar

Credits Source: jillmore.com

What I Liked:

This play does not have any bad performances. Not one of the actors did a particularly bad job. While that doesn’t necessarily mean that they were all amazing, it is really good to see that there is a lack that one actor who doesn’t act properly and ruin the whole play.

All the actors did their roles just fine but the two standout performances were from Sateesh as Karunakara Pallavanand form Santoshri as Manjal Azaghi. Sateesh was every bit as righteous charismatic and confident in the role of the protagonist and Santoshri’s performance was really well as Manjal Azaghi, as a feisty and love struck princess. It also helped that she had an amazing solo dance involving fire.

The sets by Padma Stage Kannan are the best I have seen on stage in some time. It is apparent that no expenses were spared and the sets were just exquisite both from afar and upon close examination. The costumes and props, including some amazing ships, are all amazing to look at; Kudos to Padma Stage Kannan and his amazing team.

The lights by Mano lights are functional and provide an amazing atmosphere and tension when needed. Another highlight was the makeup by Bonda Mani.

What Could Have Been Better:

The play is three hours long without interval and that is one of my biggest gripes. Today’s audience do not have the patience to sit continuously for three hours, so I was not entirely surprised when I saw some people leaving their seats and returning ten to twenty minutes later.

Another gripe that I have is that, while they were extremely faithful to the source material, a lot of scenes could have been cut for a faster paced, shorter length play. The main problem is the pacing. There never seems to be a sense of urgency or excitement in the play and that’s one major drawback.

I have made this abundantly clear before but I am going to say this again, movie style songs where the actors just dance do not belong on stage. It is unfortunate that after the amazing dance number by Santoshri there was a very unflattering one some time later.

Finally, the music; it was just too loud for me to give any sort of criticism on it. I am not kidding when I say that the music drowned out the voices. It was just too loud to comprehend and what I did manage to hear without covering my ears was just serviceable.

Final Thoughts:

Kadal Pura is the literal definition of a mixed bag. For every positive there is a small negative. While this is the grandest play I have seen in terms of pure visual spectacle this is far from the best when it comes to other aspects.

I give Kadal Pura 2.5 out of 5 stars. If the music had not been too loud I would have given it a 3 out of 5 stars but, as of yesterday it is just a 2.5

This troupe has a lot of potential and a lot of resources and I hope to see a lot of better plays from them. Until next time;

Peace!!!