Most of us would have heard of Tarzan, the fictional character. He, with his adventures, became the blue-eyed boy of all readers and later movie-goers. Now, a Malayalam play, written and directed by renowned playwright Jayaprakash Kuloor under the same title is all set to enthral Kochites. However, the Malayalam Tarzan is in no way linked to the existing character. Happening in an entirely different setting, it takes audience to another world, not jungle.
It narrates the story of a film producer who financed the movie Tarzan. “He is out in a resort celebrating the success of his movie. He has a unique way of celebration; he does it alone. One such celebratory night, a young man comes to him. He claims that he is the producer’s son born to a woman who was part of his movie. The young man ties the producer and claims his rights,” says Kuloor, adding that one can figure it out from the way the title is written in the poster. In Tarzan, the ‘za’ part is struck with a line, and is replaced with ‘so’, meaning either son of tar or illegitimate child.
S.P. Sreekumar and Sunil Sukhada on stage
Prominent actors Sunil Sukhada and S.P. Sreekumar appear as producer and young man respectively. “The first stage was in Thrissur, then in Thiruvananthapuram. After the performance in Kochi, we will be travelling to Bengaluru.” Kuloor says he knew both Sunil and Sreekumar before the work, and that he is impressed by their devotion to the art form. “The play is based in Thrissur, and Sunil’s friends, who are amazing technicians, provided their best for the show although my shows usually do not depend on techniques,” explains Kuloor, who is known for his out-of-the-box presentations. Award-winning playwright, his works are staged on streets and front yards of homes with one or two actors.
Ask Kuloor and Sunil if working on an hour-long drama within a limited scope has been a challenge, Sunil says, “It was not. We transformed our limitations into possibilities. Half of the time, I am tied; in a few parts, I am not able to talk too. But, it was put together well. It has been a great experience.” Kuloor adds, “It is not limitation, but increases scope for creativity. At the time Sunil’s character remains silent, it is not the monologue of Sreekumar’s young man. Although the drama has no female actors on stage, presence of a female character is brought through the duo's conversation. Creating and putting them together is a joyous process.”
To witness where that night takes the duo to, head to Jt Pac, Tripunithura, on August 31.
The show will begin at 6.45 pm.
