Soorya
Krishnamoorthy`s play “Melvilaasam”
A strong critique of the established order
 London:
Soorya British chapters staging of the play ‘Melvilaasam’
at London Camden centre was a strong critique of the established
order. Written and directed by Soorya Krishnamoorthy the play
was targeting the nerve centre of society’s evils.
‘Melvilaasom’ – a play loosely based on the
story of Swadesh Deepak exposes the caste system and emphasizes
the dreams of Mahathma Gandhi. No wonder the play was staged
at over 100 centres in India and abroad and continues its
triumphant journey.
It is a theme of retaliation and injustice. A lower caste
jawan who had been regularly ridiculed and penalized eventually
retaliates and kills the upper caste superior officer who
tormented him. The 90 minute long play centres on the court
martial of the soldier. As the lower caste jawan is sentenced
to be hanged justice departs from the court room.
Soorya Krishnamoorthy`s ‘Melvilaasam’ is a very
touching play dealing with one of the main issues of our society.
The set design was elaborate, apt and enjoyable. The director
had managed to focus on this burning issue without compromising
the aesthetic beauty of the play. The acting was well controlled
and delightful. A play deserved to be seen by all Indians
at home and abroad. MS
Soorya
British chapter, Centre4M and the patron T Haridas brought
the Soorya programme to London.
****
Kaumudi Europe Swiss correspondent Augustine Paranikulangara
reports from Zurich
‘Melvilasm ‘ – Soorya Krishnamurthy’s
play
 Melvilasm
(The Address) is based on the Hindi play (Court Martial) written
by Swadesh Deepak with some changes and additional stories
told by the late Gopi Poojappura , a retired typist in the
army and a friend of Soorya Krishnamurthy. The play depicts
several court martial scenes where Ram Chandar , an ordinary
soldier is accused of murdering one senior officer and wounding
another at the check post. The court scenes bring to light
the evil effects of caste system in the army just as we see
in Indian society. In the cross examination, the court finds
that the accused is also a good athelete and a competitor
to Capt B.D.Kapur, the wounded officer, that he is unmarried
and father of Ammu , a rescued child from a terrorist area
. The chief judge who is known for his fairness and justice
, gave the verdict of death by hanging and ends by coming
near to Ramacharan and says : “I must salute you, please
accept it.” This time Soorya set up a an impressive and
original court room with all material hand carried from India
though the gun and the typewriter were not up to the mark.
 The
second part of the programme consisted of an Odissi ensemble
which was presented by Meera Das, a gold medallist with 4
dancers from Cuttack , Orissa. Odisssi is a dance of the temples
in Orissa state. The Odissi is partly comparable with Bharat
Natyam , but has the reputation to be of less athletic form,
softer, perhaps more sensual. The set themes of the Odissi,
where the experts recognize remote Buddhist and tantric influences
before, are nourished by the life of God Krishna. Meera Das
gave explanations of several mudras or signs like instruments,
animals, epic characters etc while the others demonstrated
them to the audience to have a better understanding. Audience
highly appreciated this part of the programme. There were
a few foreigners who came just to watch this part of the programme.
People in Europe would appreciate better if such programmes
are with original musical instruments and vocal singing instead
of background music.
Keli – the organizer of Soorya programme
in Zurich
 About
400 people gathered in Gemeindesall , Zollikon,Zurich on 28.04.07
to witness Soorya’s programme which was a mixture of
drama and dance . The programme was organized by Keli . Keli
is a non-profit cultural organization of Indians living in
Switzerland, to promote Indian art and culture. Besides they
are deeply involved in charity and social activities in India.
Mathew Thekkottil, president of Keli welcomed the audience
and Joy Vilanthanam, general secretary , gave a vote of thanks
to Soorya team for their captivating programme and the audience
for maintaining perfect silence during the drama listening
to the dialogues and music of the dance scenes
Click below to see the Video
Indian
odissi dance Orissa
Click below to see more photos
View
Soorya Melvilasm Odissi 2007
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