Triplicane is a sacred land, a land that had many freedom fighters, a land that houses century old Educational institutions and has patronized art & culture – especially ‘Natakam’ – the stage plays. A few decades ago, there were many Sabhas – Sri Parthasarathi swami Sabha, Thiruvetteeswarar sabha and more – and at least two major venues for stage dramas – ‘the Parthasarathi Swami sabha’ at Venkatrangam Street and NKT arangam at NKT Girls High School. Rasipuram Subramaniyan Iyer Manohar [RS Manohar] acted in over 200 films and was known as Nadaga Kavalar as he hosted mythological plays – most of them were staged here. The place also evokes memory of vizha vendhan NKT Muthu.
A few decades ago – stage dramas thrived – there were mythological plays, then there were troupes of YG Parthasarathi, Mouli, SVe Shekhar, Crazy Mohan, TV Varadharajan and more .. .. people had the patience and desire to see them and hence turned out in large numbers .. .. not any longer – dramas are not really patronized these days – is that ‘growing intolerance’ !! My classmate & good friend Chitralaya Sriram has written many scripts which have been grand hits on stage.
Among many people with passion and zeal for acting in stage dramas was Sri Kovai Padmanabhan – famously known as Kovai Padhu who staged many dramas. He was in the forefront doing religious service, organizing samasti upanayanams and religious discourses for over 50 years through Sri Guruvayurappan Seva Samithi, of which he was the founder.
With grief heard the passing away of Sri Padmanabhan today due to cardiac arrest. Recall his presence in SYMA Childfest in 2009 and in Triplicane Brahmin Association Panchangam release at Gangaikondan mantapam in 2019.
Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family
With regards – S. Sampathkumar
17.11.2022
