All the world’s a stage for centenarian theatre artiste

Over a period of time he might have lost count of the numerous awards and recognition, he has received for his contribution to Tamil theatre. But this one was special. Kalaimamani KS Nagarajan who is one of the founder members of the amateur Tamil drama troupe, The Triplicane Fine Arts Club later rechristened as Kala Nilayam turned 100 recently and was felicitated at a special function attended by the stalwarts of theatre like YG Mahendran, Crazy Mohan, Kathadi Ramamurthi, TV Varadarajan as well as Nalli Kuppusamy, President of Narada Gana Sabha R Krishnamoorthi and many other prominent names. The felicitation was preceded by his performance in the play, Yaar Paiyan. 

Born in the year 1916, KS Nagarajan started taking interest in theatre from the age of six. He was encouraged by his mother and maternal uncle. His first directorial venture was the play titled Thanthai En Deivam written by Kudanthai Mali in the year 1958 for Durga Nataka Mandram. 

“I am touched by this special function to mark my 100th birthday and happy that my contribution to Tamil theatre has been recognised. As for my age, it is just a number,” he said at the occasion. 

He has performed in Sambanda Mudaliar’s Vedhaala Ulagam, Manohara and Expected, directed by his guru Gopalaswamy Iyengar, Naradhar Sreenivasa Rao’s (Ananda Vikatan) Samsara Bandham and many other popular plays over the last few decades.