KADHAIGAL KAANALAM: What’s the story?

If you’re into mind-boggling tales, you are sure going to love this one. Theatrekaran, a small yet
ambitious Tamil theatre group; or as they like to call it – theatre family, has given its audience
several plays ranging from mythology, history, love and social causes. This time, they have
taken a different turn by giving us the pleasure of witnessing one of the best forms of theatre
arts – storytelling.
“Kadhaigal Kaanalam” – is Theatrekaran’s unique, inventive style that incorporates physical
theatre, spoken-word and storytelling. This 90-minute session introduces the actor’s
approach to telling stories creatively, exploring a new imaginative vocabulary to make
story time fun, exciting and stimulating for all. The audience can strap-on and join as the
storytellers take them through different genres of illustration. With that put forth, let us now
trace through the show’s extremities.
Before the history of India was written; before India was India; before any other civilization had
even made a mark, the land of Tamil had its birth. Tamil is considered more than just a
language; it is a culture with pride and honor. The first story – “Veeramalin Kaalan” is centered
around the Tamil sport of Jallikatu and how it is more than just a sport; an identity to the
community. This storyteller is known to leave the audience in tears with the exceptional
delivery, portrayal of emotions and with his beautiful expression of the tragic story.
Following this, comes “Chinchan-in Payanagal” is a horror story that also inculcates an
unexpected message at the end. The story is built-up in a way that leaves all of us on the edge
of our seats. Through the entire act, the storyteller makes sure he makes his audience live in
fear and trepidation.
The final act – “Jaswant Sigh” stirs up the patriotism we all had in ourselves. Ending with the
national anthem, it is a story that will most definitely make all the youngsters in the room to
least pause for a second and think about what to do and what not to do for our country.
Though there is a divergence of different emotions between each story, the composure of the
audience is brought back at periodic intervals through snippets of stand-up comedy. These two
acts are not just fillers; as they fill the room in a laughter riot.
On the whole, the team Theatrekaran give us the joy of listening to the stories that we have
never heard, and to spread the joy of the same to our loved ones. The audience are hoped to
take back an evening filled with eximious stories and lots of happiness.