At Venjaramood, the car stopped at a less busy part of the road. Getting ready to take a photo. The call came when Suraj got out of the car. ‘Hey… boy, what a photo shoot…’
‘Well, this is it, what are the special features, Annanipo, where, how are the cutlets…’
‘Oh what to say. Come on green boy. program in here
The conversation went on and on like this, ‘This is a women’s magazine… photoshoot’.
At the same time, Suraj Venjaram is also the topic of discussion in America. National Basketball Association (NBA) venue. The popular program that best evaluates its features is ‘Inside NBA’. The program is hosted by celebrities like Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley. Their game analysis is accompanied by memes.
The prediction about the game of world famous basketball player Charles Baby was wrong. Thousands of memes came out about it. But because of that, the meme that mixed Damu’s feats without watering them down became a hit. Damu was selected as the meme with game analysis through the meme posted by the American Malayali. But this ‘boy’ standing in Venjaramoot doesn’t seem to know anything about this.
Suraj had come together with his friends to share the details of Venjaramood for Vanitha. Alanthara Ranga Prabhat is the venue for the friendly meeting. Suraj’s elder brother Saji is the organizer of the program. During the car ride there, Suraj told old stories.
Imitation from mother
“Anna and I got mimicry from our mother. The name is Vilasiniamma. Amma does not imitate any movie stars. Relatives and neighbors. I struggled to hold back my laughter and shouted ‘Tallen’ and laughed for the first time at my mother’s mimicry. But his father, Vasudevan Nair, is on the opposite side. It was as if a soldier had a compulsion never to smile. Mother’s mimicry echoed in the kitchen. But we came out with Mimicry. Although Annan joined the army, I took the role of Annan and mimicked him.
At that time, after passing 10th standard, you will become a member of any sports and arts club. There were many amateur theater groups in Venjaramoot. Festivals, drama competitions and so on are always full of excitement. I grew up watching it and started wanting to go on stage. Isn’t it Alanthara Rangaprabhati that we are going to now, it was made a reality by my teacher Kochu Narayanapillai sir. It is also an opportunity for children to learn drama and grow up.” Suraj started saying; The beginning of his artistic career.
Guru and elder brother: Saji and Suraj
Sound and light
When I went through the town of Evanjaramoot, I saw a sign. ‘Bheema Sounds’. Bhima Sounds and its owner Abuka have been the sound and vibe of Venjaramood for decades. Sathyan, Premnaseer, Jayan, Mammootty and Mohanlal first spoke through Suraj through Abuka’s mic.
“Though there are many festivals, the Manikal Shiva temple festival is important. At that time there was a story of Sambasiva there every year. After hearing that, I started imitating him.
When I looked outside, I saw an old sign saying Sindhu Theatre. Suraj said unconsciously while driving. “From today’s matinee show at 2:30 pm on the beautiful silver screen of Venjaramoot Sindhu….” What a joy it was to hear this announcement back then. Every village will have such a theater memory. Sindhu was Venjaramood’s silver screen name.
My family home was near it. Talkies are in full swing that day. There is no enclosure. You can listen to the audio even at home. As a child, you would listen to audio recordings at home until recess. Enter the theater after the interval. Apart from that, there is no money to buy tickets and watch the movie. My first study of film must have been the soundtrack I listened to till the break.”
When the car reached Rangaprabhat’s yard, friends and Rangaprabhat’s child artists gathered around to receive it. Playwright and director Kannur Vasootty, Nobby, playwrights Ashok Sasi, cartoonist and writer Vamanapuram Mani, young generation children of Rangaprabhat. Founder director Kochu Narayanapillai sir’s daughter and current director K.S. Geetha, teacher Excel Jayakumar and a great group of friends. Everyone gathered in a circle and started talking.
Full version in June 25–July 8 issue
V. R. Jyotish
Photo: Arun Sol