Komal Swaminathan

Komal Swaminathan (born on 27 January 1935 at Karaikudi, died 1995) was a congressional activist in his early years, a Tamil theater personality, film director, and a journalist.

Early life

Swaminathan joined the school of S.V. Sahasranamam and learned the art of playwriting and stage techniques. In 1971, he formed Stage Friends.

Career

He was a dramatist in Tamil Stage, his 'Thanneer Thanneer' in 1980 brought him to limelight. He scripted, directed and staged this play with his 'Stage Friends' drama troupe, this play was staged more than 250 times. This play Thanneer Thanneer (Water Water)highlighted acute water shortage in rural areas due to bureaucracy and the apathetic attitude of politicians and bureaucrats, and was later filmed under the same name by K. Balachander in 1981, which won National Award and international acclaim.

Komal Swaminathan has staged nearly 33 plays. He also directed the film Oru Indhiya Kanavu (An Indian Dream) and received the National Film Award for Best Regional film in 1984.

He was the editor of Subhamangala -a Literary, Socio-Cultural Tamil monthly magazine. He was the recipient of KalaimaamaNi and a number of other awards. Komal Swaminathan died in 1995.

Filmography

Plays

Komal has scripted and conducted the following plays with his own troupe

• Sannathi Theru, 1971
• Nawaab Narkali, 1971 (later adapted as movie 'Nawaab Narkali')
• Manthiri Kumari, 1972
• Pattinam Paripogirathu, 1972
• Vaazvin Vaasal, 1973 (later adapted as TV serial)
• Perumale Saatchi, 1974 (later adapted as movie 'Kumara Vijayam')
• Jesus Varuvar, 1974
• Raja Parambarai, 1975 (later adapted as movie Paalooti Valartha Kili)
• Yudha Kaandam, 1975 (later adapted as movie 'Yudha Kaandam' directed by him)
• Anju Puli Oru Penn, 1976
• Koodu Illa Kolangal, 1977 (Komal had originally named it 'Ilakkanam Meeriya Kavithaigal')
• Aatchi Matram, 1977
• Sultan Ekathasi, 1978
• Swarga Boomi, 1979 (later adapted as movie Anal Kaatru directed by him)
• Chekku Maadugal,1980 (later adapted as movie 'Saathikkoru Neethi')
• Thaneer Thaneer, 1980 (later adapted as movie Thaneer Thaneer)
• Oru Inthiya Kanavu, 1982 (later adapted as movie Oru Indhiya Kanavu directed by him)
• Asoka Vanam, 1983 (later adapted as TV serial)
• Naliravil Petrom, 1984
• Manithan Ennum Theevu, 1985
• Irutile Thedatheenga, 1985 (later adapted as TV serial)
• Karuppu Viyazakizamai, 1988
• Narkali, 1989 (later adapted as TV play)
• Grama Rajyam, 1989
• Anbukku Panjamillai, 1992
• Pudhiya Paadhai
• Minnal Kolam
• Thillai Naayakam
• Doctorukku Marundhu
• Kalyaana Super Market
• Delhi Maamiyaar (later adapted as movie 'Karpagam Vanthachu')
• Avan Paarthuppaan
• Appaavi
• Killiyoor Kanagam
• En Veedu En Kanavan En Kuzhanthai (later adapted as TV play)

Screenwriter

• Kallum Kaniyagum (1968)
• Nawab Naarkali (1972)
• Paalazhi Madhanam (1975; Malayalam)
• Kumaara Vijayam (1976)
• Thanneer Thanneer (1981)
• Kodai Mazhai (1986)

Director

• Oru Indhiya Kanavu (1983)
• Anal Kaatru (1983)

External links

• http://tfmpage.com/forum/26339.5890.23.51.04.html A Tribute to Komal Swaminathan by 'Cinema Virumbi
• http://www.jstor.org/pss/1124150 Water! A Tamil Play

• http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/audio-beat-arima-nambi-sivamani-belts-it-out/article6069756.ece