Gleanings
The illustrious career of Kalaichelvan
K.S. Sivakumaran
Nobody in local Thamil theatre knows who Abdul Rauf is, but everybody
in Colombo Drama Circles knows him only with his stage name ‘Kalaichelvanâ€.
He has gained legendary status on stage, film, small screen and sound
broadcasting as a marvellous actor, dramatist and producer for the past
half a century.
Besides, even as a Colombo Muslim he speaks in superb Thamil with
precision and to the point. He is knowledgeable and continues to be in
search of knowledge reading, discussing with fellow dramatists and film
makers in the Sinhala language, keeping in touch with people who matter
in serious art in Thamilnadu and so on.
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Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake handing over a
trophy to Kalaichelvan in recognition of his contribution to
arts. |
He was an angry young man in his youth because he rebelled with a
cause: he was totally dismissed by powers that were (politicians,
academics, traditionalists and even racists) because he did not toe
their line and was also for prejudices.
It took a long time for him with unimaginable setbacks to rise above
and show his true colours. His record is impressive but still not very
well-known even among the Thamil drama circles in the island. But those
of us in the earlier age group and even Sinhala theatre and film
personages know him sufficiently well.
Kalaichelvan is in news these days. Glorious tributes are paid to him
all around the metropolis and the cities outside for his completion of
his spell in the field of theatre. The crown in his success was the
recognition he received on June 20 as the Senior Artiste with an award
from Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake.
On the recommendation of Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena this award
was given at the BMICH on the occasion of Awards for the National Drama
Festival 2008.
Gleanings from the citation and my own observations:
“Kalabooshanam Kalaichelvan was introduced to the Thamil Stage in
1959 by M N Rajaratnam Pillai of Thamilnadu. When the Thinkaran
organised a Thamil Drama Festival, he wrote, acted and directed a play
titled “Manitha, Dharmam†which won six awards including the one for the
best director.
His superbly presented play “Sirukkiyum Porukkiyum†presented at the
1976 National Drama Festival organised by the Ministry of Culture was a
crowning success although unjustly he was denied any prizes. This was an
original creation and I remember writing a review of the festival plays
in the now defunct ‘Tribune’ edited by the late S. P. Amarasingham.
However at the State Drama Festival in 1998 he presented a play
titled “Kalaignanin Kathai†and won an award for his acting. I missed
seeing the play because I was abroad at that time.
I missed his play “Othello†in 2004 State Drama Festival again for
not my being in the country. He won seven awards for this play.
Kalaichelvan is instrumental in introducing new talents in his plays.
His life and achievements should be recorded at least in Thamil and
Sinhala and I hope the academics would take notice of this.
On Sunday (July 13, 2008) a gathering of artistes (Thamil and a few
Sinhala), writers, poets and critics witnessed the tributes and honour
paid to Kalaichelvan and the senior Sinhala dramatist Karunaratne at a
function organised by another dramatist , writer and columnist - Anthony
Jeeva in the presence of philanthropist Hashim Omar (a Memon versed in
the national languages). Deputy Minister Radhakrishnan, Presidential
Advisor Azwer, the two celebrities, Anthony Jeeva and Kalaianban Rafeek
spoke. A lot of admirers made presents and adorned the two celebrities
with ‘Ponnaadai’ (literally Golden Shawls).
The National United Artistes Federation has planned to congratulate
and honour him with awards at a function to be held on July 17, 2008 at
the Old town Hall in Kayman’s gate, Pettah. I take it as an honour for
being invited to preside over the function. We wish Kalaichelvan all the
best.
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