AMATEUR DRAMATIC GROUP

AMATEUR DRAMATIC GROUP

(Humor in life is the biggest vitamin tablet in this fast moving world. Both children and elders enjoy Charlie Chaplain pictures even today. In India there is no picture made without comedy – interwoven with the main theme. With the advent of Cinema Drama has been pushed back. In spite of the success of Cinema some devoted people still conduct Dramas and are highly successful. There is career here for adventurous youngsters. )

We can call 50s and 60s as the golden era of drama in India. There were many renowned
groups who staged successful dramas and elite crowd thronged to see them. Mention can
be made of Cho Ramaswamy, Manohar and YGP. I had occasion to see the drama Lankeswaran at Trichy in which Manohar acted as Ravanan. It is a story of Ramayana differently told. What Manohar could not get recognition in cinema he got here as the best drama artist- no wonder this drama was staged every corners of South India and in Madras it ran 100 days.

Another notable person who contributed to theater art is Cho Ramaswamy. His drama
Mohamed Bin Tuglak received similar ovation from Public and saw more than 100 days
run at Madras. Prior to the advent of this renaissance in Drama – the themes for dramatic groups were based on meteorology like Mahabharatham and Ramayana.

It was MR. Radha and NS Krishnan who adopted Social themes for Drama. Dramas like Ratha Kaneer and Nalla Thambi became very popular. But Professional Drama started to wane by 60s. Some young men decided to give life to theater art. They decided instead of full time in drama field they could perform as Amateur artists. While remaining in service these people conducted dramas on Saturdays and Sundays.

One such group was Amateur Dramatic group founded by the Y.G.Parthasarathy. YGP as he is affectionately called was working as as executive of India coffeehouse and
later in All India Radio. Through the efforts of YGP and Pattu Amateur Dramas became
very popular. YGP decided that People need relaxation and hence gave priority to humor and social themes rather than serious mythological themes. This brought dramatic change in the attitude of People.


Some of the memorable dramas staged by this group were- Under Secretary, Kannan
Vandhan, Paritchaikku Neramachu, Arthamulla Mounangal, Flight 172 and so on. Like
this he produced more than 100 dramas some of them became famous in Cinema.
YGP group introduced many new people and they became famous as Cinema Actors and
Actresses. Some of them are YG-Mahendran, Mouli, Nagesh, Srikanth, Ragini, Cho and
Sandya (Mother of Jayalalitha- former Chief Minister)

YGP and his wife Rajalakshmi have done yeomen service to Amateur Drama field and to
education. Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan at Chennai is a standing monument for their
work YGP is considered as father of Amateur Dramas. Govt. recognized his service by
awarding him Kalai Mamani title.

A Wing of this institute- Bharat Kalachar traveled throughout the world with young troop and conducted dramas portraying the glory of India’s culture. YGP acted in Cinemas also and some of the characters caught the attention of the public. YGP started a school for Drama and theater arts for youngsters.


Analysis:

YGP is a shining example for youngsters that by remaining in Government service you
can still achieve success or by joining such group you can build up a good career.
Opportunity Unlimited presents one more field that has not exploited fully. There is
plenty of scope for humorous dramas today.

· Drama is the stepping stone to become a good Actor or Actress.
· Amateur Drama has got a unique place.
· Humorous dramas relieve tension and give relaxation.
Whoever