Divorce takes to the stage

First published in New Sunday Times
1st February 2008

Divorce takes to the stage
MAX KOH


Iruvar II is a sequel, something Fenomena Pentas Seni has never done before in its 20 years of operation, says Bala

Once taboo in the Indian community, playwright S.T. Bala is tackling the subject of divorce for the stage, writes MAX KOH 

SOCIAL issues have always been close to Tamil playwright S.T. Bala’s heart.

Together with his production company Fenomena Seni Pentas (FSP), he has examined issues that have affected the Indian community in Malaysia and boldly translated them for the stage. 

“I just write on what I see is happening in society today. We (his team and him) do research, talk to people and we present our take on the issue itself,” explains Bala. 

For a career that spans 20 years, Bala has not ceased to make people think through numerous plays including Suthantirrem, Nisha, Karma and also last year’s biopic Sambanthan. 

However, 2002’s Iruvar (which means duo in Tamil) was particularly poignant for Bala as the play was not only well received in Malaysia but also reached a whole new audience in India. 

“The response in Chennai was amazing. We were really happy that the play made a bridge with the theatre-goers there,” says Bala whose company also produces dramas for television. 

“After five years, we are going to do a sequel — something we have not done before.”

While Iruvar explores the idea of women joining the working force and its repercussions on family life, money, and relationships, Iruvar II explores the issue of divorce which is becoming prevalent in the Indian community. 

“What happened to the days of our fathers and forefathers when marriage was considered to be sacred? 

“Sure, there are bound to be disagreements in the family but why is divorce becoming a more viable option these days?” Bala, who’s been married for 14 years now, muses. 

“Divorce used to be pantang (taboo) but it is now common with even clubs for divorcees being established these days.

“Iruvar II seeks to explore the question of what, why, and who causes the divorce in the family.”

The idea first struck Bala when he realised that some of his friends are divorced or are going through a divorce. 

This question led him to speak to people — from professors to the layperson — on their idea of the subject. 

Their responses surprised Bala: “Usually, people would just encourage me and say that it is a good subject for my play. 

“But what was most surprising that people started to give me actual examples of a close friends or family members who are divorced or in the act of divorcing.”

As the title suggests, the audience will only see two people onstage at any one time. 

“Expectations are high given the success of the first play, so we are careful about making Iruvar something like the first one,” says Bala who wrote both plays.

Apart from being the first sequel, Iruvar II also marks the 20th play produced by FSP which also marks its 20th anniversary this year. 

Describing his plays as “social cynical drama” (not unlike Comedy Court but more serious), Bala is already looking forward to the next play after Iruvar. 

“We have been commissioned by Pure Life Society, to produce a bio-pic on the life of their founder Swami Satyananda. It is really an honour for us to produce a play on such a prominent figure whose contribution to society is innumerable.”

Last year, Bala successfully staged a bio-pic of the political figure Sambanthan, based on Tun Sambanthan who played a prominent role in gaining Malaya’s independence from Britain. 

While his plays are mostly in Tamil, he feels the language is no deterrent as the plays come with subtitles.

While the subject of divorce itself transcends race, language or culture, “the Tamil used in our plays are like any conversation you would have with Indians in Malaysia. It’s peppered with English and Malay words,” says Bala, who is now trying to get English subtitles for Iruvar II.

On marriage, Bala believes that “tolerance, understanding of each other’s needs and spending precious moments together are keys to a happy and successful marriage.

“More couples are getting divorced after only a few years of marriage. I hope that this play will shed light on the trend and hopefully help people see their marriages through.”