Theatre Review: Kaatriniley Varum Geetham

Kaatriniley Varum Geetham (Drama) Rating: *** (Three stars)Cast: Lavanya Venugopal, MV Bhaskar, Kadambari, Gowrishankar, Nanjil Revathy, ⁠Thambi ParthasarathyDirector: Lavanya VenugopalDuration: 130minsLanguage: TamilReview: Bringing the life of MS Subbulakshmi to the stage is no easy feat.

Kaatriniley Varum Geetham acknowledges that challenge, and the result is an earnest bioplay that is content with celebrating Subbulakshmi as a saintly figure without digging too deep into the person behind the icon.

Maybe even expecting otherwise from a play about a legend of her stature is asking for too much.The play traces her life from her childhood, beginning with her family of musicians and her determination to become a vocalist.

It tracks many of her important milestones, including her first recording, the moment she went from Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi to MS Subbulakshmi, what got her into acting, and her first interview with journalist and future husband Kalki Sadasivam.To its credit, the play does not sidestep the uncomfortable details like Sadasivam being married with a child when they first met each other.

It also explores the stigma that Subbulakshmi and her family had to endure because they belonged to the devadasi community, as well as the financial struggles she faced in her latter life.

Surprisingly, there are several funny one-liners, and all of them work well.

Yet, the writing often struggles with consistency.

Let's take the character arcs of Subbulakshmi’s mother and brother.

They are initially Subbulakshmi’s biggest pillar of strength but eventually turn hostile.

The portrayal of the total shift in their attitude comes across as too abrupt.Lavanya Venugopal as Subbulakshmi, MV Bhaskar as Sadasivam and the rest of the cast deliver committed performances.

The makeup is impressive, especially considering we see the characters over a long span of time.

The music, which is extremely crucial for a play on a legendary Carnatic singer, is the play's backboneShould you watch it?Yes.

Despite its shortcomings, Kaatriniley Varum Geetham remains a sincere tribute.Read the latest Entertainment News and Celebrity updates.

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