The annual Tamil drama festival of Mylapore Fine Arts Club started on July 20 with an award ceremony. Veteran stage personality S.Ve. Shekher was conferred the title ‘Nataka Kala Nipuna’ for his contribution to Tamil theatre. The title consists of a citation, a two-sovereign gold medal and a purse of ₹1 lakh. The 17th annual festival was dedicated to Crazy Mohan.
In his welcome address, the president of the sabha, Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti, spoke of Shekher’s spontaneity. “Laughter and Shekher are inseparable. Whether he is among friends are on stage, his wit and humour always sparkle,” he said. “The title is apt for Shekher, who has mastered the art of drama and its nuances. One can call him the ‘Super Star’ of the theatre world,” he added.
Abaswaram Ramjhi traced his association with Shekher. “We are childhood friends. “His father S.V. Venkatraman did 204 episodes for AIR and I was connected with it. Shekher was recording it. Our friendship got strengthened during that time. All his plays are inaugurated at the MFA and it is apt that the Sabha is honouring him,” he said. Ramjhi underlined Shekher’s contribution to society. “His father donated blood numerous times and Shekher followed in his footsteps. And through content and wit, his plays have earned him fame,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, S.Ve. Shekher thanked several persons — from Crazy Mohan, who gave them the play, ‘Crazy Thieves in Palavakam’ and MFAC for giving them the auditorium to his ‘Maanasika guru’ Cho and V. Gopalakrishnan, who blessed him before he donned the make-up for the first time. And of course, his team. “Without my troupe, I am nothing,” he said. “I must also thank my troupe for creating many records. In the U.S., we performed 28 times in 32 days, a record till date. I cannot forget actor MRK who showed me the path of light. Natakapriya is active on the social front. It helps students in their studies and arranges medical treatment to the poor. Also hundreds of unclaimed bodies have been cremated,” he added. Shekher concluded by predicting a bright future for the Tamil Stage.
After the function, ‘Nandri Meedum Vaanga’ of Stage Creations (Kathadi Ramamurthy) was staged.