Kaatriniley Varum Geetham
A Tamil Play presenting the face of Carnatic Music- The Nightingale of India.
A portrayal on the life of M.S.Subbulakshmi, who defeated all odds during the time when Carnatic Music was largely dominated by Brahminism and Patriarchy and became its most revered ambassador.
With her unwavering devotion to Music, MS Amma as she is affectionately called became the common connect of the Indian diaspora across the world that is largely diverse on linguistic, cultural and religious grounds.
Kaatriniley Varum Geetham is a story narrating the journey of one Kunjamma born into a Devadasi family in Madurai transforming herself as M.S.Amma, the most revered name in the field of Carnatic Music, throughout the world. The story delves into the challenges of a woman during the period when women from the Devadasi Family were never permitted to become vocalists and occupy the centre stage. Undeterred by the manner in which she was looked at, Kunjamma broke all barriers to become one of the most celebrated singers of Indian Music in the world arena.
The story details as to how M S Subbulakshmi was in many ways the icon of modern day feminism. With the indefatigable support and astuteness of her husband, T.Sadasivam, M.S Amma won several accolades such as the Music Academy’s Sangita Kalanidhi, the Magsaysay Award, and the Bharat Ratna.
M.S.Subbulakshmi besides being queen of Carnatic Music as Jawaharlal Nehru called her was also one of the most sought after actress of her era and till date the quintessential Meera! Never the one to ignore her calling, M.S. guided by Sadasivam took the right decision to quit acting as a profession right while being at the top and stay focused on music. Kaatriniley Varum Geetham is
a metaphor to denote that the music of MS Amma is all around us all the time.
This play is submitted as a true tribute from thRee & Kaustubha Mediaworks to M S Amma and her music that has transcended many generations now. As Maha Periva rightly said, “ Till the sun rises in this world, the fame and popularity of M S Subbulakshmi shall stay undiminished.
thRee partner expressed their personal connection to the project:
“It is an immense privilege for us to not only produce this tribute play but also to act in it. Being part of this project allows us to honor MS Subbulakshmi’s legacy in a deeply personal way, and we are truly honored to bring her remarkable story to the stage.”
The Director of Kasutubha Mediaworks shared their vision for the drama, stating:
“This bioplay is a heartfelt tribute to MS Subbulakshmi, encapsulating her grace, devotion, and musical brilliance. Our aim is to present her story with the respect and admiration she truly deserves.”
A groundbreaking bioplay about the legendary M.S. Subbulakshmi, produced by thRee & Kaustubha Mediaworks based on the book “Kaatriniley Varum Geetham,” by Writter VSV Ramanan directed by Bombay Gnanam & music by Dakshin to be staged on 13th, 14th and 15th September 2024 at Vani Mahal & Narada Gana Sabha
About thRee :
ThRee, a theatre organization, promotes the Live Arts of Tamil Nadu and aims to democratize opportunities for talented artists. Over the past 15 months, they launched two acclaimed plays, “Paayum Oli” and “Kaatchi Pizhaigalo,” which garnered multiple awards. Now, ThRee is embarking on a groundbreaking bioplay about the legendary M.S. Subbulakshmi, based on the book “Kaatriniley Varum Geetham,” directed by Bombay Gnanam, to be staged in September 2024.
About Kaustubha Mediaworks :
Kaustubha Mediaworks is an organization dedicated to creating intellectual property (IP) and special shows, events centered on our rich cultural heritage, spirituality, art forms, and music. The purpose of this organization is to preserve and promote the pride of our nation by bringing it to a global audience through various channels. This is the third intellectual property (IP) created by Kaustubha Mediaworks, focused on MS Subbulakshmi.
About MV Bhaskar :
M.V. Bhaskar, a lawyer specializing in media and entertainment, has a deep passion for theatre. He’s been a prominent Tamil theatre artist, known for varied roles with Dummies Drama and appearances in feature films. Bhaskar has won the Best Actor Award at the 55th Mylapore Academy Drama Awards for “Paayum Oli” and another Best Actor award from Karthik Fine Arts for “Kaatchi Pizhaigalo.”
About Lavanya Venugopal :
Lavanya Venugopal is a seasoned theatre actor and trained Bharathanatyam dancer with numerous accolades, including three Mylapore Academy awards. She co-founded ThRee, a theatre company, and their productions, “Paayum Oli” and “Kaatchi Pizhaigalo,” have received critical acclaim. Lavanya continues to excel in theatre, inspired by Aachi Manorama, with a focus on versatile roles.
About Bombay Gnanam :
Bombay Gnanam is a renowned figure in Tamil theatre, film, and television. She founded an all-women drama troupe, producing successful plays like “Bhagavan Sri Ramanar” and “Bhakta Jayadevar.” Her contributions earned her the Kalaimamani award and other honors like Nadaka Choodamani and Nadaka Rathnam.
About VSV Ramanan :
Mr. VSV Ramanan is a distinguished journalist and former managing editor of KALKI, a 90-year-old Tamil weekly. An ex-banker and prolific author, he has written 15 books and over 25 short stories across genres. His notable work, “Kaatrinela Varum Geetham,” a biopic of M.S. Subbulakshmi, has received widespread acclaim.
About Dakshina :
A software engineer by profession, Dakshina is now actively involved in composing music. He is the grandson of the veteran Carnatic musician, composer, and music director Shri Dakshinamoorthy.
