He disseminates art with a heart
An interview with Soorya Krishnamurthy by Karthika C
He is a man who made ‘Dissemination of Art with a Heart’ the mission of his life. Krishnamurthy, the doyen of art and culture in Kerala initiated the 365 day long Soorya festival three decades ago. Art lovers in Kerala fondly called him Soorya Krishnamurthy and the name stuck. Recently, Murthy took office as the Chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy. In a short chat with us this altruistic personality defines culture as “the concern for others”.
In your concept what is art?
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| Soorya Krishnamurthy |
What is your opinion on commercialization of art?
When art becomes business, the person who performs it can never be called an artist. Social welfare should be the ultimate end of every art form. The real artist is the one who performs for the integrity of the society like a ‘Theyyam’ performer. Think about his pain and suffering. What remuneration does he get for his suffering? But unfortunately our society and media give undue importance to film stars and cricket players who play only for money, not for the sake of art or sports. If a performer can make at least one person think, he will be truly successful as an artist.
How do you judge yourself as a writer?
My guru is M.T. Vasudevan Nair. I have not read any writer other than M.T. or Vaikom Mohammod Basheer. I write in the light of my experiences. And my experiences define me.
As the chairman of the Sangeetha Nataka Academy, what are the new projects you intend to implement?
I have quite a few things in mind. Firstly, the Sangeetha Nataka Academy will be divided into three zones. The north zone will be named after K.T. Mohammad, the renowned theatre artist, the south zone after yester year film music director Baburaj and the central zone after G. Sankarapillai, another famous theatre artist and the former Director of the School of Drama, Trichur. This will help the academy to become active in northern and southern parts of the Kerala as well.
Secondly, for the first time in Indian cultural history, insurance and medi-claim have been introduced for drama artists. Money for this comes from one thousand sponsors. Drama artists who suffer from temporary disabilities will be given Rs.500 each for a hundred weeks. For the first time in India, drama artists and their families have been brought under the E.S.I. scheme. Quite a number of other projects for the welfare of artists are also under consideration.
How do you perceive women?
A woman has the real power of judgment. She is blessed with mental strength. There is an unwritten rule in Soorya that every woman should be treated with reverence.
Your comment on the excess exposure given to cinema and cricket in our social order?
I am very much unhappy about the excessive importance given to film and cricket. A cricket player will bargain to play for his motherland. Then where is his patriotism? Same is the case with film stars.
It has been sixty five years since India won independence. In all these years has any theatre artist from Kerala other than Kavalam Narayanappanikar received a Padma award? But we proudly give Padmasree to Kajol and Saif Ali Khan. This is disgraceful.
How do you perceive yourself?
I am a director, I am a creator and I strongly believe that I am an artist. I believe whoever is creating or directing is the real artist.
What is the reason behind your dedication to art?
Everybody is born for some mission. When I realised that I am born for the nurturing of art, I resigned my job (he was a scientist and engineer with ISRO). The purpose of my life is the welfare of society through art. Once you realize what your mission is, you should be willing to do all you can for it.
This year twelve plays directed by you are staged in the theatre festival of Soorya. Tell us about it.
As part of the theatre festival, twelve plays directed by me will be staged over seven days. Pulari, Parinayam, Basheer’s Premalekhanam( part 1 and 2), Tagore’s Sookshma Charcha (part 1 and 2), Thaskaran, and N.N. Pillai’s Shudha Maddalam and Goodnight are the plays. Of these Pulari and Parinayam will be performed on an open stage. Plays by other directors will also be staged.
What is your mission of Soorya’s future?
My dream is to make Soorya a cultural movement in which by a lot more people would participate.
Soorya festival is the longest event in the world and you are the person behind this venture.What was the inspiration?
It is only because of the grace of God. God chose me for this. Somewhere in Soorya there is the signature of the Almighty.
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