Thy name is mom

Sacrificing her life is the only way ahead before the unnamed mother to keep her husband’s promise. In ONV’s Amma, whilst standing before an impending death, the mother’s heart aches for nothing other than her baby’s hunger and his/her shrieking cry. In the poem that runs at length, in just three lines, the poet speaks volumes on motherhood. Poignant in tone, those arresting verses of O.N.V. Kurup elevates the poem to stand tall and fly high at all times. Giving a theatrical depiction to the greatest ever piece of poetry is taking place in the capital under Thoppil Bhasi Nadaka Padana Kendram.

Play director Raja Varier speaks: “The play is based on a full theatrical script. It’s an independent script developed to explore the full potential of theatre and we have adopted a realistic approach to take Amma to the stage. The plot is retained as such and at times, we have taken the liberty to make modifications keeping the essence intact," he says.

The script is by Prof. G. Gopalakrishnan. The play was conceptualised to pay homage to O.N.V. Kurup soon after his demise in March. The premiere was in connection to the World Theatre Day celebrations at VJT Hall in Thiruvananthapuram.

The story brings forth nine brothers, all good at masonry. One day, while mending a wall, they court trouble as the wall fails to attain shape. There comes an oracle and the ruler of the land orders to pick any one from the nine wives, tie her to the wall and build to tide over the crisis. Destiny had it that the eldest of the nine fell prey.

“A Russian myth is said to be the inspiration for Amma. It’s a four-act play through which the entire story is told. Soon after the maiden show, there was a radio broadcast of the play,” says Raja Varier.

The staging is on coming Saturday at Vyloppilly Samsrithi Bhavan. Walk in by 6.30 pm.