Hi, eager learner! Today, let me tell you about a super cool Tamil play called “Kanneru.” It’s not your ordinary play with regular props. No, no! In this play, masks are not just props, but they have a deeper meaning. It was staged at the Indianostrum Theatre in Puducherry.

Now, Kanneru is all about a special doll called a “drishti bommai” or “nazarbattu” in Tamil. People hang this doll at the entrance of their houses to protect them from evil eyes and bad luck. But this play goes beyond that. It explores why people wear masks in their daily lives and try to hide who they really are. It’s like a mystery waiting to be solved!

Do you know what that means, my little detective? The masks in the play represent something bigger. They show us that appearances can be deceiving. Just like how people wear masks to hide their true selves, these masks in the play symbolize the different faces people put on in society. It’s like a puzzle waiting to be solved, and we’re the super detectives!

Masks Unveiled

• So, my friend, Kanneru is not just any regular play. It’s a powerful social commentary disguised as a fun and exciting performance. The play tells us that greed is causing a lot of trouble in our society, and it’s up to us to figure out how to stop it. By looking within ourselves and not letting machines, masks, or monsters control us, we can bring peace and order to the world.
• In this play, the talented actors bring the central characters to life with their amazing performances. The play mixes traditional folk elements with modern theater styles, making it a unique and engaging experience.
• By the way, the play was inspired from the stories of the legendary K. Rajanarayanan. Rajanarayanan, also known as Ki Ra, is a famous writer who won the Sahitya Akademi award in 1991 and many other awards throughout his career. He had a tough time when he was young because he got sick with tuberculosis and had to stop going to school. But he didn’t give up and became better when he was 30 years old. Ki Ra has written many amazing books for Tamil people. He has written 11 folklores, 7 short stories, 5 novels, and 12 non-fiction books in total.
• These amazing artists want us to think and reflect on ourselves, our actions, and the world around us. They’ve created something special that will make us laugh, think, and maybe even dance a little!
• Isn’t it fascinating how a simple doll can teach us so much? So, my little friend, next time you see a mask, remember that it might be hiding something more than just a face. It might be telling a story, just like in the Tamil play ‘Kanneru.’