|
The +2 Tyranny
 The despotic tyranny of +2 over all other considerations in a modern nuclear family and the tragic need to resettle, in our own larger interests, our related thought-processes, were forcefully highlighted in the play 'Appa Vandhaar’ (‘Here Comes Father’) presented by Gurukulam (The original Boys Co. 95). This was staged under the aegis of the nine-day 15th annual summer Drama Festival (Kodai Nataka Vizha) of Kartik Fine Arts, at the Mylapore Arts Club auditorium, recently (May 1, 2004).
Sequentially though, Amma (husband’s mother) arrives first. She is not exactly welcome. Reason: M.I.L. Vs D.I.L syndrome and conflict. Additional, all-important reason, the son of the house, Karthik is a +2 student. The parents worry no end about his impending exams, which ‘must’ shape his destiny. The Mother’s (Jayanthi) eye-problem (cataract) is not perceived happily or dutifully vis a vis the threatening expenditure.
The Father enters (wife’s father) with happy-go-lucky son Paachu (A R Subramanian) in tow. Senior has a ‘Hiranya’ (Sorry, Hernia!) problem that necessitates a costly operation. All the same, he is received warmly!. Well, he is the wife’s father!
To cut a long ‘operative’ story short, the overall expenditure runs to many thousands, thanks to the credit card! Eventually, all does not end too well. The husband gets bequeathed with his father-in-law’s Hiranya (the old man calls it only this way! As a matter of fact, most of us do!) and faces the future worriedly. The +2 results are not announced either! But, Senior Mother teaches the daughter-in-law how +2 should not be allowed to cloud one’s vision, needlessly. It is important, no doubt, but not the be-all, end-all of existence, certainly not at the cost of everything else, to the point of viewing uneasily the arrival of close relatives with subjective concern and choice partiality.
Growing children also should be carefully taught of their responsibilities. Daughter-in-law Brinda (Malathi Sampath) , the lady of the house, acts naturally, and, therefore, superbly. She is the archetypal middle-class housewife, mother, daughter, D.I.L. et al. The family ‘tiffs’ are presented winsomely. Are these not our own family tiffs? Old man Hiranya patient is the prototype self-centered oldie who would test anybody’s patience to the utmost. Husband Murthy (Viswanthan Ramesh) earns our sympathy thoroughly! Doctor
(Gowrishankar – Indian Bank Official) himself needs treatment! His Hiranya patient causes him so much misery with his long winding prehistoric episodes – ‘you see, all this problem started in my native village decades ago’
blah, blah! The Doctor deserves a pat. Other ‘cast’ are in the routine mould. The ‘clinic’ muddle scenes are just ‘silly! Overall review: A very good play that entertains and educates: needs prudent pruning and editing. Madhava Bhoovarahamurthy has responsibly directed the play, embellished with his own story and dialogues. One point though. The Plus Two problems are talked about so much, but these are not convincingly portrayed.
R Srinivasan
Ph: 24355576
Mail to : annie_thomaz@yahoo.co.in
Published on 12th
May, 2004
More
Articles
|
