Street plays and stage shows helped Dravidian parties to spread their ideologies and wings in Tamil Nadu. However, years later political parties seem to have forgotten theatre that helped them get foothold, according to K.S. Karuna Prasad of the Third Theatre Drama Troupe.

“Theatre is an important art form that unites people. It brings out the harsh realities of life. Politicians have forgotten theatre probably because they (dramas) are mostly satires that depict today’s politics,” he told Covai Post.

Claiming that theatre is losing to cinema today in the State, Karuna Prasad, a theatre artist and playwright for 30 years, said the Government should consider the plight of artists who totally rely on theatre for survival.

“Other States give importance to theatre fests and their Governments’ concern for art is evident during the events hosted by drama groups. But unfortunately, in Tamil Nadu, it is totally different. Theatre is not given the importance it deserves and artists are drifting away from the ancient art form thanks to the policy makers,” Karuna Prasad said.

“Still the art can be revived by taking it to students, who will spread it among the people. Students have started accepting theatre for it is not only entertaining but also therapeutic. It gives them a chance to showcase the problems prevailing in society and spread awareness,” he said.

Students have been instrumental in creating a new set of audience for the modern theatre which involves symbolism. Though many feel that symbols make it hard to understand modern play, Karuna Prasad, who also uses symbols, claimed symbols help convey the message better. “The play is understood better with symbols than dialogue. Hence, they are inevitable,” he added.

Having started his career as a theatre artist since his student days at the Government Arts College in Chennai and later training at the Chennai Koothupattarai, Karuna Prasad, feels, “an artist is a public property and his responsibility is to address the issues affecting the society through his performance. While people pass over issues, an artist passes over them by mocking at them.”