TAVAM by Kattaikkuttu Sangam

Script: Perungattur P. Rajagopal Direction: P. Rajagopal & Hanne M. de Bruin Production & Costumes: Hanne M. de Bruin P. Rajagopal wrote the script for TAVAM on the basis of the experiences of five of his women students whom he trained in the ins and outs of the Tamil Kattaikkuttu theater tradition. He conceptualized TAVAM as two journeys in opposite directions: on the one hand, Arjuna’s journey to Mount Kailasa in search of the Pasupati weapon and, on the other hand, the journey of five young rural women Kattaikkuttu performers into a socially forbidden, male-only theatre world. The play was developed at the time of the Corona-virus pandemic, which made live Kattaikkuttu performances impossible. TAVAM was the first live performance event of the Kattaikkuttu Sangam after 18 months during which professional Kattaikkuttu performers were out of work and without income. Musicians: R. Balaji (Harmonium), A. Selvarasu (Mridangam & dholak), P. Sasikumar (Mukaveenai), A. Dillibabu (Talam) , R. Kumar & M.G. Tamizholi Actresses: S. Tamilarasi, R. Mahalakshmi , K. Venda, A. Bharati , S. Srimathy Supporting actors: P. Moorthy, Baby Jishnu