Musiri Subramaniam Road is clogged. It is a shade after 6 p.m. on a weekday. Cars, autos, bikes run both ways.
“It is a one-way road but who cares,” says a cyclist weaving his way at the gate of St Isabel’s Hospital.
“All because of Metro work,” chimes in the hospital’s gatekeeper.
Two women at the gate of Mylapore Fine Arts Club ( MFAC) look flustered. They eem to have got out of their car and walked to the sabha but wonder if the man at the wheel will find a place to park and be for the play on time.
Inside the TAG- MFAC hall, only the last four rows of seats are empty. And a few here and there. Maybe ‘reserved’.
In 15 minutes, the rows are also packed. The air-conditioning is trying to hold good. Its shows 19 degrees in one unit.
People continue to stream; many are seniors, and senior with a daughter. The gallery is full, a steward says. One man shuffles out – in two minds – to get a front row seat or strain and watch from the far end?
The bell goes. Bombay Gnanam takes her place at the lectern. She tells the audience about her play, based on Carnatic music composer Purandaradasar, sharing the sources that helped build the script. “Bhagavan Sri Panduranganin Purandararadasar” (March 2 to 8)
The production costs but it is free to watch because “we want even hose who cannot pay to watch this drama”, she says. But you are welcome to donate. We accept five and five hundred rupees, she adds.
Looking around, it is clear everybody present can pay 25 or even 50 rupees.
The curtain goes up. The drama takes place in parts in three zones of the stage, as lights switch on and off and on. Theatre, dialogues, music, songs sandwiched – to take forward the life of a fascinating character. A story which makes better sense to what must be an audience which also relishes Carnatic music concerts and Purandarasa songs, though less sung, at sabha music concerts. A drama by an all-women cast, from 18 year olds to a 70 year old, we are told.
The a/c unit is struggling at 18 degrees. It is’nt uncomfortable though. The break is welcome. Fresh air and a cup of coffee at the makeshift stall outside.
The traffic is still jamming on the road.
“If the sabha has events, the jam is worse,” says St Isabel’s Hospital’s gate-keeper. Must have been so all all days of Bombay Gnanam’s play at MFAC.
