Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar

Pammal Vijayarangam Sambandham Mudaliar (1873–1964), who has been described as "the founding father of modern Tamil theatre", was a playwright, director, producer and actor of the late nineteenth- and early twentieth centuries. He was a recipient of the civilian honour of the Padma Bhushan.

Birth and education Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar was born in an aristocratic Thuluva Vellalar family of Pammal, near Madras to Vijayarangam Mudaliar and Manikka Velammal in 1873. He was educated at Pachaiyappa's College.

Theatre Influenced by his father, who had a large library and instilled in his son a love of books, and by his mother's telling of folktales and Indian epics, Mudaliar developed an interest in drama as a child. His father also encouraged him to see theatrical productions at a time when the theatre was considered to be a disreputable environment. Influenced in particular by his childhood reading of works written by William Shakespeare, Mudaliar wrote his own plays from an early age. He staged these at his home, along with his brother and sister, for audiences comprising family and neighbours. while S. Muthiar puts the figure at "over 100". The original adaptation of Hamlet, published as Amaladhithan in 1906, took Mudaliar six years to complete and he studied many references in an attempt to do justice to the original Shakespeare work. It was one of five Shakespearean adaptations that he translated, directed and then acted.

Not all of Mudaliar's works were performed by the Suguna Vilasa Sabha, with one of the exceptions being his only work in the burlesque style, 1923's Chandrahari.

Works of playwright

Mudaliar's work included adaptations of English and Sanskrit plays, as well as original output. These received with much enthusiasm. Educated people turned their attention to the potential of theatre. Some even joined the Sabha and began acting. It became a centre of great moral and educational value. Songs were given a back seat, prose gained significance, and realistic acting was stressed. Mudaliar changed stage conventions, creating new sets and scenery that surprised viewers. T. P. Krishnaswamy Pavalar, hailed as a great teacher of Tamil drama, was a product of the Sabha. After retiring as a judge, Mudaliar continued acting for it.

He acted the lead in many of his own plays. Subsequently, other sabhas or groups produced their own versions. His Lilavati-Sulochana in 1895, Manoham which was published in 1907, Makapati i.e. Shakespeare's Macbeth, published in 1910, and Sabhapati that published in 1918 were the first Tamil plays in prose dialogue while others still performed Puranic musicals. He gave equal importance to narrative and aesthetics in drama. He composed scripts that could be performed within three hours, a revolutionary concept when Tamil productions normally took twice that time. Quite a few were cinematised later, such as Yayati in 1908, Ratnavali was adapted from Harsha in 1910, and the originals mentioned above.

Legacy The title of the film Pammal K. Sambandam (2002), starring Kamal Haasan, was inspired by Mudaliar.

List of works Source:

Leelavathy - Sulochanai Saarangatharan Mahapathy Kaadhalar Kankal Narkula Deivam Manokaran Oorvasiyin Saabam Idaichuvar Irupuramum Enna Nerdhidinum Vijayarangam Kalvar Thalaivan Dhaasip Penn Mei Kaadhal Pon Vilangukal Simhala Naadhan Virumbiya Vidhamea Siruth Thondar Kaalava Rishi Rajaputhra Veeran Unnmaiyaana Sakotharan Sathi-Sulochana Pushpavalli Geetha Manjari Uthamapathini Amaladhithyan Sabaapathy, First Part Pongal Pandikai (allathu) Sabaapathy, Second Part Orr Othikai (allathu) Sabaapathy, Third Part Sabaapathy, Fourth Part Peiyalla Pennmaniye Buddha Avadharam Vichuvin Manaivi Veathaala Ulakam Manaiviyaal Meendavan Chandrahari Subathiraarjunaa Kodaiyaali Karnan Sahadevan Soolchi Noakathin Kurippu Irandu Aathmakal Surgeon General Vithitha Marunthu Maalavikaakni Mithram Vibareethamana Mudivu Sulthan Peatai Sub Assistant Magistrate Sakunthalai Kaalappan Kalathanam Vikramorvasi Murpagal Seyyin Pirpagal Vilaiyum Naadaka Medai Ninaivukal - Six Parts Naadaka Thamil Yayaathi Piramananum Suthiranum Vaanipura Vanikan Irandu Nanbarkal Sathrujith Harichanthiran Markandeyar Rathnavali Kandupidithal Koneri Arasakumaran Sandhaiyil Kootam Vaikunda Vaithiyar Dhitchithar Kadhaikal Haasya Kadhaikal Kuramakal NallaThangal Sirukadhaikal Nadipukalaiyil Therchi Peruvathepadi? Haasya Viyaasangal Thamil Peasum Padakaakshi Viduthi Pushpankal Peasumpada Anubavangal Valli Manam Kadhambam Maandavar Meendadhu Aasthanapuram Naadaka Sabai Sangeetha Paithiyam Onbathu Kutti Naadakankal Sabaapathy Jameendar Sivaalayankal - Indhiyavilum, Appalum - Irandu Bakangal Sivaalaya Silpangal Sathi Sakthi Manaiyaatchi Indhiyanum Hitlerum Kaalak Kurippukal - (First edition-20/10/1947, Arutperunjothi Press-GT-Madras)

Death Pammal Vijayaranga Sambandha Mudaliar died in 1964.

Aside from his theatrical works, Mudaliar left a record of his own life that, according to theatre historian Kathryn Hansen, is a "treasure house of information on late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century Tamil theatre". These memoirs were originally published weekly in serial form by the nationalist-oriented Tamil newspaper, Swadesamitran, and have since been translated into English, in which form they comprise six volumes and are entitled Over 40 Years Before The Footlights. Their original title, when published in book form in 1938, was Natakametai Ninaivukal (Reminiscences of the Stage). He also wrote a short autobiography concerning his legal career, published in 1963 as En Chuyacharitai (My Autobiography).