'Malegalalli Madhumagalu', A 9-hour-long, Unique, Night Play

Warning: This a lengthy review. Couldn't help it.

When "Malegalalli Madhumagalu" was being enacted at Rangayana, Mysore, I was more than excited to watch it. Had many reasons for it. It was the 700 pages Magnum Opus of our literary icon Kuvempu, was a 9 hour long night play and had heard that a lot of effort has gone into it's production. More than anything, I found it's poster very very interesting.One day, when I was driving , I passed in front of Kalamandir and saw the poster again. It had impressed me so much that I thought I should blog about it. The same day, my aunt got us tickets for the next night's show. Was more than happy. Even though I had been to Coorg and returned to Mysore just before the show, wasn't feeling a bit tired or sleepy. Just wanted to watch the play.

A 9 hour long play, under the direction of C. Basavalingaiah, music by Hamsalekha, art direction by H.K.Dwarakanath is based on the theatre adaptation of the novel, which was done by K.Y.Narayanaswamy. Set in four stages,Vanaranga, Dundukana, Puthani Vana and Rangadarshini, it actually felt as though we were in Malenadu.With 150 characters, 58 scenes, 48 songs, and 67 actors and just 5 months of production, the play starts with a ring that is lost in the Dharmasthala hundi and the story is narrated using folk forms such as arjuna jogis and koravanjis and others.

I'll be wrong if I say that there was perfection in the play. There was "more than perfection" in every minor thing.It was not just that there was a stage and the act was on it. There were characters to the right, left and even above it ( believe me they were on trees too) and hence, we audience had no option but migrate to the world they had created for us. Though this play is based on a classic, there is comedy, drama, music, love, political issues , issues between the society and the individual, the caste system then, spread of christianity, beliefs and customs and lot more in it.

The characters, oh you'll adore them. Guththi and his dog Huliya- oh huliya is the play's sweetheart. Whoever has played that part deserves a big applause. Playing a 'dog' that well is something beyond our imagination. Mukunda was my favourite. He perfectly fit into the love story hero character. (psst- he was handsome too). Aitha and Pinchalu were the cute newly married couple and played their parts well. Devaiah was amazing being the confused and escapist himself. Subbaiah hegde, I guess is some veteran actor. His display of emotions had no bounds. Was too very perfect.The Christian father and his 'beesekallu'(bicycle) was a laughter roller coaster for sure. Aithakka and her spontaneity; Ayynoru and the typical brahmin attitude he carried off so well; the pudi saabru and their horse; the mallu pandit and his mallu-kannada accent; Thimmi, Nagakka, Chinnamma and their anxiety; the depiction of the Rana; Swami Vivekananda appearing out of nowhere, that too behind and above the audience; the wild boar hunt; the potrayal of huli kallu neththi well above the trees and dawn with saambraani dhoopa and clouds; the artists getting into position in the darkness; the artificial rain, everything was more than what the audience expected. The stages were set so well against the background of trees and the like in open air, that it actually felt like we were taken to the villages of Simbhaavi, Hoovalli, Konooru, Huli kallu neththi and others.

The spontaniety in the emotions, dialogues, climbing trees as though they were experts at it, and hopping and running around of the artists very much needs appreciation. In the whole play, there was not even one single slip or one single stutter. Every character , be it in the nook of the stage also was very involved in the play and upto the mark. There was one guy who caught my attention. He had no lead role, but was doing minor roles here and there, loved the way he did it.Just that he was really good even though he had such miniscule roles. Music was at its best too. The title track and the 'hara hara' track will surely make you nod your head.

I'm not somebody who knows theatre in and out. Not a regular critic. My review is just as an ordinary audience. All of you who are like me, trust me guys, you will have the same opinion if you watch it. There were people who were as old as 60 years and more present among the audience. And when the audience were supposed to shift places to the next stage, everybody was rushing to get nice places to sit and not going out to eat anything! After the play, I spotted somebody asking the crew for a CD of the tracks in the play. Somebody else was literally running behind the person who played Huliya when he was walking away. The artists couldn't be seen because they were totally surrounded by people congratulating them. Sometimes, some artists deserve such fans I guess.

Well people, if I keep writing, I shall praise it on and on and on. So let me just tell you that, if in case you get a chance to watch this play, please do go watch it. You will surely and surely and more surely enjoy it. It was scheduled to end on the may 11th. On public demand, two more shows got added and now, three more have got added. So it's on till May 21st I guess. Heard they have plans to take it to other districts as well. Getting the tickets there is a major problem. But it's worth standing in the queue for it. The ticket is priced at only Rs.40 and that's the only bad thing about the play. The play's worth hell a lot more than that. We pay more than that for bakwaas movies like athithi tum kab jaaoge!. Name one movie which you think is the best ever. Black? or even Ben-Hur? Guys, let me tell you. This play is a lot more better than that. None of the movies and none of the stars are even comparable to this play. It's that outstanding.

Plays are supposed to be for entertainment. This one, take it from me, was nothing less than an 'experience'. Had it continued for a further nine hours, I would have loved to sit and watch it yet.

p.s.- Not a bit of exaggeration in this post.

The guy sitting there in front was the one I was talking about, who had minor roles and yet, was good.

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The 'beesekallu' Ride

A scene from the play.










The silver lining over the blue cloths were used to depict clouds.The girl was on a hill top so was amidst the clouds at dawn

The tree-top there was Huli-kallu-neththi. That's guththi, thimmi and huliya the dog. There was another scene which was played at a spot more higher than this, but I couldn't capture it.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A scene from the play

Cheers,

Chandana C. Shekar