stage and film version a comparison
Quote:
Originally Posted by Prabhu Ram
Nice write-up saradhaa_sn :thumbsup:
A question for those who have seen the play and the film:
Were there any major changes in the story/scenes/acting that you recall ?
Dear Prabhu Ram,
Yes, there were some changes in different aspects. Star cast. Main change was the heroine, G. Sakunthala was replaced by Padmini. In my personal opinion, Padmini was nowhere near G. Sakunthala's outstanding performance on stage. And due to business reasons, there were some cinematic contrivations (e.g. Nagesh part, chasing of pathan, my lady song, etc.). It is no doubt that these portions were odd scenes in the otherwise greatest classic. In the stage, it was gripping till the end. There were appluauses from the start till the end. The play would commence sharp at 6.30 p.m. We were in Triplicane and the Parthasarathi Swami Sabha were these plays used to be held was in our street. At about 4.00 p.m. the lorry with the set properties would cross our street. At about 5.30 p.m. people would start to throng the Sabha. We would not know when NT came but he would commence the play exactly at 6.30 p.m. From 6.00 p.m. onwards cars (there were not much of 2 wheelers then) would throng the Sabha. By about 6.25 p.m. 90% of the people would be on the seats. And when the play ends we would again notice the procession of people and cars coming from the hall and it would be a delight to watch. In fact, we would be clearly hearing the audience applause, which will be heard every now and then. And inside the hall, when I watched the play for once, It was jam packed G. Sakunthala would dominate the proceedings with her accent. In some scenes, NT would watch her performance standing still. It would be very lively. And coming to the narration, all the actors of Sivaji Nadaka Mandram would have been well trained and would be perfect. It was a team work. The lighting would be apt. The change over scenes were perfect. The only drawback was the absence of huge sets like in Manohar's drama, which is not necessary for social plays. Overall, it was a dream come true for us to watch the plays of NT. Even when I was a school boy, I had the chance of watching Needhiyin Nizhal. But I do not remember much of it because I was very tender at that age. There were some scenes that were added to the screen version, but the comedy part of Nagesh was not upto the mark in the screen, whereas in the stage it was very realistic. Though Padmini did her best in the film, some thing was missing in the heroine's role compared to the play.
Raghavendran.