T.P. Kailasam (Papanna)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._P._Kailasam

T. P. Kailasam

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

T.P. Kailasam

Born July 29, 1884

Bangalore, Karnataka

Died 1946

Bangalore, Karnataka

Occupation Playwright, Geologist

Nationality India

Genres Fiction

Thyagaraja Paramasiva Kailasam (Kannada: ತ್ಯಾಗರಾಜ ಪರಮಶಿವ ಕೈಲಾಸಂ; Tamil: தியாகராஜ பரமசிவ கைலாசம் ) (1884 - 1946), was a playwright and prominent writer of Kannada literature. His contribution to Kannada theatrical comedy earned him the title Prahasana Prapitamaha, "the father of humorous plays".

Contents [hide]

1 Early life

2 Plays

2.1 English

2.2 External links

[edit]Early life

Kailasam was born in a Tamil family in southern Karnataka, India, and educated in England. On his return to Karnataka he worked to improve the literary scene there. His life was dedicated to local theater and his contributions revolutionised it. His application of humor to his plays left an everlasting impression on Kannadigas. He opposed the company theatre's obsession with mythology and stories of royalty and shied away from overloading his plays with music. Instead, he introduced simple, realistic sets. Kailasam chaired the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held at Chennai, then called Madras, in 1945. His speech was short but effective.

Kailasam came from a family of scholars and professionals. His father was the eminent Justice Paramasiva Iyer. Kailasam had benefited from a good education in his youth and was sponsored by the Maharaja of Mysore to move on to higher studies in geology at London. Kailasam was enchanted with life in the United Kingdom and took the time to repeat several classes, one at a time, in order to have an excuse to extend his stay there. He spent a total of six years in school there, participating in theatre whenever possible, and then returned to India.

Soon after his return, he joined the government geology service. He took his work seriously and did well, but became unimpressed with life in a government job and quit. His father had had ambitious plans for Kailasam, hoping that he would become the Director General of the Geology Department. He was disappointed in his son and stopped talking to him. Kailasam barely noticed, as he had shed his former lifestyle and began living as a nocturnal bohemian, writing plays.

Kailasam was initially criticised for modern use of the Kannada language in his plays, but his work became popular and are considered among the best in Kannada theatre, legendary for their wit and satirical commentary on society, much of which is still relevant today.

So they say that kannadakke obbane kailasam, Hasyakke obbane Beechi;

[edit]Plays

[edit]English

The Brahmin’s Curse

Purpose

Fulfilment

[edit]External links

Kailasam's English Poems

Kailasam on OurKarnataka

Commemorative Article on Hindu

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http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/07/29/stories/2005072903700400.htm

T.P. Kailasam, the Kannada playwright was known for his unusual sense of humour. July 29 is the 119th birth anniversary of this great writer who revolutionised Kannada theatre. Born a Tamilian and educated in Great Britain, Kailasam on his return to India turned towards Kannada completely. The manner in which he critiqued the society, couched in his special humour, left an everlasting impression on the Kannadigas.

Kailasam felt that company theatre was too obsessed with mythology and consciously kept away from such themes making his plays realistic. This writer, who chaired the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held at Madras (now Chennai) in 1945, made one of the shortest and most effective speeches ever.

Though his writings came under severe criticism initially, they became extremely popular and came to be accepted as some of the best works ever written for the Kannada theatre in its history. His plays are relevant even to this day and have a huge following among the connoisseurs of Kannada theatre.

As a tribute to Kailasam, who came to be known as the Father of Modern Kannada Theatre, Ankita Pustaka is releasing a complete collection of his plays, Kailasam Kannada Natakagalu. This collection, which has 21 plays in all, is going to be released by T.N. Seetharam and will be presided by S.N. Shivasawamy.

The book release on July 29 is at 10.30 a.m., Ankita Pustaka, Gandhi Bazaar Main Road, Bangalore

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http://tpkailasam.blogspot.com/

http://ellakavi.wordpress.com/2008/07/29/remembering-tp-kailasam/

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TP Kailasam is one of Karnataka's better-known humorists. Though he passed away about sixty years ago, he is remembered quite often even now in many contexts. A host of delightful stories, anecdotes and witticisms are attributed to him.

He was a very interesting person. He reportedly could blow smoke rings and spell out his name with them. How cool is that! (I mean, not his smoking, you know what I mean!) He was a master punster, and often refered to himself as "Typical Ass".

Most anecdotes are best told and understood in Kannada, but here is one interesting story. Once, while Gandhiji was staying for a while at Nandi Hills, there was a concert by the great violinist T.Chowdaiah. Gandhiji, enjoying the magnificent music, turned to Kailasam, who sat next to him, and asked, "Who is this great man?" Immediately, Kailasam replied, "Oh, Bapuji, you are a great non-violinist, but this Chowdaiah is a pakka violinist!" He was rewarded with a wide toothless grin.

On another occasion, somebody asked Kailasam, "You say that Sir M.Vishweshwaraiah is blessed with sixth sense, does that mean that nobody else has sixth sense?" Kailasam replied, "Oh sure, you do have it too, but in your case it is called non-sense

Radio program link: https://archive.org/details/KannadaBharathiHeegidruNamKailasamOnduP...