With theatres on the path of revival, here is a man who stands tall in the field. K V Ganesh, fondly called ‘Ganesh Mashu’ is the director of Rangachetana Drama troupe, which is one of the biggest troupes in Kerala originally founded by G Sankara Pillai,the father of Modern Malayalam Theatre. It has had the track record of promoting quality work for a long time now.
What makes Ganesh different from his counterparts is that he has taken painstaking efforts to take the medium to the so-called underprivileged sections too. Mentally challenged persons and the inmates of juvenile homes have been able to enjoy themselves, hone their own skills and get their creative juices flowing thanks to the troupe. “There are many among the inmates of juvenile home at Thrissur who could present their skills outside the state because of our effort. That was truly a gratifying experience,” he says.
Besides, Ganesh has been associating with ‘ Amma’, an organisation for the mentally challenged since the past three years. He informs that Rangachetana has been performing free of cost. Though Ganesh is happy about the work he has been doing, he says that his association with the juvenile home at Thrissur was not truly satisfying as he had to end his involvement with it abruptly on matter of principle.
The troupe also has a wing to train children. Though Ganesh has been associated with theatre for over 25 years, he says that he has kept himself away from training students for youth festivals and competitions. “It is a decision that I took after a lot of contemplation. There were so many compromises which have to be made while training students for competitions. That kills the essence of the drama. That’s why I refrain,” he says. A few months ago Ganesh invited a controversy when he retaliated to one of director Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s remark. Adoor was of the opinion that those who were working in amateur theatre free of cost were lowering its standards and thereby destroying it. " Adoor might have associated with dramas earlier. But now a huge change has happened in the field which he is not aware of. He should not have made such a comment with out realising the fact, he says. Besides he adds that it is the amateur theatres which actually prevented the dramas from being extinct.
Ganesh says that Adoor should have refrained from making such a comment as he himself is making films after taking subsidy from the government.
Asian Theatre Festival at Busan in South Korea (2002), Bharat Rang Mahotsav organised by National School of Drama, New Delhi ( 2003 - 2005),Goan National drama festival ( 2011), South Indian Drama festival by Tanjavur South Zone Cultural Centre are a few acclaimed drama fests where Rangachetana has been a part of.
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