In Stage Creations’ latest theatrical venture, “Sikkal Sivaraman,” a delightful comedic farce unfolds, blending family feuds, secret romances, and societal jibes into a tightly woven plot. Written, directed, and imbued with the humorous signatures of S.L. Naanu, the play has already captivated audiences with its sharp wit and relatable themes.
The narrative opens with Chellappa (portrayed by Naanu himself) planning to marry off his son in the local Pillayar temple. The chosen bride is the daughter of Parameswaran (Ganapathy Shankar). Unbeknownst to Chellappa, his son has other plans and is eyeing a different bride – Hema, the sister of Parameswaran’s daughter, in the same temple. The irony thickens, as Chellappa disapproves of Hema, blissfully unaware that she is indeed Parameswaran’s daughter.
In another subplot, Lalitha’s daughter, Janu, is also set to wed Suresh in the very same temple. This marriage too is clandestine as Chellappa stands against it, driven by a sense of duty to protect Lalitha’s interests – all because he is her cousin. Layer on top of this familial entanglement, Chellappa’s noble but misguided interventions, and a multi-pronged web of confusion becomes both the essence and charm of “Sikkal Sivaraman.”
Then there’s Sikkal Sivaraman himself, played by Kathadi Ramamurthy, whose name implies knotted complexities. Aptly so, as this character becomes both the creator and solver of these tangled problems. Kathadi, despite being in his eighties, dazzles on stage with youthful energy, breezing through scenes and delivering lines with a finesse that only seasoned actors possess. His performance is effortlessly enthralling, drawing laughter and admiration from the audience.
Naanu’s script doesn’t merely swirl around these personal predicaments; it adds layers of social commentary with his hallmark dry humor. One clever motif in the play is the parody of omnipresent YouTube “how-to” channels.
. Chellappa humorously mocks these tutorials, which often make everyday chores, like kitchen cleaning or folding clothes, appear as complex as rocket science. There’s also a running gag about Kathadi’s compulsive check-ins on WhatsApp, a habit many audience members can see themselves in, adding a layer of relatability to these jabs at modern life.
Moreover, Naanu dives into the evolving dynamics of matrimonial matchmaking, deftly comparing past and present. Where once potential grooms in the 1970s and 1980s would make unrealistic demands from brides, Naanu now shows it’s the turn of prospective brides, who reject proposals for seemingly whimsical reasons. Janu’s character, for example, embodies this modern-day scenario, initially discarding one match after another for trivialities until serendipity makes her fall in love with Suresh – a union Chellappa fights against.
Crucially, each entanglement and misunderstanding eventually finds resolution under the watchful and witty guidance of Sikkal Sivaraman. When the curtains fall, everyone is left with the comforting knowledge that – as Shakespeare’s immortal words assure us – “All’s well that ends well.”
Diving deeper into the play’s thematic resonances, one might argue that Naanu uses humor as a lens to reflect on age-old traditions juxtaposed against contemporary societal quirks. There’s an undercurrent of criticism about how technology has intruded into every facet of life, yet it’s dealt with such light-heartedness that it never feels didactic.
In portraying Chellappa and his idiosyncratic rigidity, Naanu also exposes a generational clash, wherein age-old values meet modern-day practices head-on. This conflict is resolved not through bitter confrontations but through laughter and mutual understanding, adding a layer of poignancy beneath the play’s comedic exterior.
Naanu’s mastery in crafting dialogues ensures that the humor flows organically, never feeling forced or out of place. The cast, led by Kathadi Ramamurthy’s Sivaraman, brings their characters to life with such authenticity that the audience is effortlessly drawn into the tangled lives and loves of the ensemble.
In conclusion, “Sikkal Sivaraman” isn’t just a play; it’s a delightful exploration of life’s complexities presented in the most palatable form – comedy. It’s a reminder that amidst chaos and confusion, humor remains an essential salve. More than just an evening’s entertainment, it offers insights into how familial love, societal expectations, and personal desires can clash and converge in the most unexpected ways, often leaving us with a smile. So, it’s no wonder that this play, with its charmingly convoluted plot, has become an instant favorite among theater-goers.
