#3 - When Injustice Becomes Law, Rebellion Becomes Duty!

In my previous post, I had elucidated the struggles and hardships SVS had undergone during his initial years in the troupe. This post is in direct contrast, where I want to talk about the SVS the rebel! 

The famous political activist, Emmeline Pankhurst, once said 'I would rather be a rebel than a slave.' SVS, I believe, was testimony to this quote. Not one to meekly submit to the curveballs that life threw at him, he was ever ready to fight back and stand up for the right causes. At times, this also involved pranking those around him. 

In this post, I want to highlight a few interesting and funny incidents that happened while he was with the Bala Shanmuganandha Sabha. 

On Fridays, after the pooja was done in the troupe, a comb of bananas was usually kept aside for distribution. Something that the troupe manager handled. SVS and his friends looked on as week on week the manager would lock the bananas in the storeroom, often distributing them to the boys only at his will. 

Not one to take it down sitting, SVS sneaked into the storeroom after the pooja was over. Immediately after the manager locked up, he would stealthily pass on the bananas through the window and then ask his friends to let him out once he was done.

Not surprisingly, the case of the missing bananas would be brought up, and SVS would be the first suspect. In his autobiography, my grandfather mentions he would take the punishment unflinchingly, not bothering with the fact that the same friends who ate the fruits would cower away in fright when confronted. 

In another instance, SVS rebelled against the actions of the manager, Kameshwara Iyer, who would quite obviously show favoritism to some artists; Ramaswamy Iyer, in particular. The manager and his favorites would enjoy privileges with respect to food and other comforts while the others were fed what was available. This disparity angered SVS a great deal.

He was of the thought that all deserved equal treatment. In fact, later in his life, he ensured his troupe members and visitors were all treated with respect and equality. My paati (grandmother), Jayamma, would feed sumptuous meals for family members, hungry visitors, and troupe members alike. 

During Avani Avittam—a ritual where brahmins changed the sacred thread—the boys who celebrated this day could order food with vadai and payasam. However, SVS noticed that the manager only took care of his own needs along with Ramaswamy Iyer and did not give SVS the allowance to enjoy his meal. 

Deeply hurt by the manager's actions, SVS went along with Cape and Jolly—his canine friends—to the pond. He applied sandhanam on the dogs' foreheads after bathing them and put on the sacred thread for the animals.

While others around him laughed at his seemingly arrogant and foolish gesture, I can only see the strong affirmation of the young man. If his fellow humans did not treat him right, he would much rather celebrate the day with his furry friends who were loyal and affectionate!

Looking at the dogs and then SVS, NSK asked SVS, "Where is your poonal? Why have you not worn your new one?"

To this, it wasn't SVS who replied, but another friend of his—Govindan Nair. Nair responded, "Naadarindha paapanukku edhuku poonal?"

When I read about this whole incident in the book, I was shook. Here were two young men, not over fifteen or sixteen years of age, who'd made a profound statement through their actions and words. In today's socio-political climate, is this even possible? Would we dare? 

I'd like to narrate one last incident that involved a senior artist called Sundarrama Iyer. SVS has mentioned in his autobiography that Sundarrama Iyer often used to talk ill about NSK which bothered him a great deal. Once, because of a misunderstanding in casting, Sundarrama Iyer also publicly yelled and humiliated SVS. Thanks to the other members of the troupe, the fight was nipped before it could turn ugly.

But SVS did not forget nor did he move on from these incidents. Baiting for the right time, he pounced on the chance when he saw one. The play 'Rajambal' was being staged, and Sundarrama Iyer essayed the role of Neelamegala Sastri. In this role, Iyer had several humorous scenes lined up with the character of a police constable.

SVS, knowing very well what was to come, put on the police officer's costume. When T.N. Sivathanu who was to play the role of the police officer that day asked SVS what was going on, SVS simply asked him to follow his lead.

The play was on, and it was time for the police officers to enter. Usually, it was Sastri who would belittle and scorn at the police officers sarcastically, eliciting laughter from the crowd. However, that day, SVS completely altered the script, cutting Sundarrama Iyer and not allowing him to proceed further with his dialogues.

When Sundarrama Iyer uttered "Do you know who I am?" SVS replied with a "Why should I care who you are? You aren't allowed to speak. Shush!"

Similarly, SVS put Iyer on the spot throughout the interaction, leaving the other artists watching from the sidelines in splits. 

It was after the play that the TKS brothers summoned SVS to explain his actions. Despite being on the hot seat, my grandfather defended his actions with wit and humor. SVS is said to have told the brothers that the audience included several CID members who would have been offended had Iyer spoken scathingly towards the police officers. To prevent such a mishap from occurring, SVS explained he had to alter the scene entirely.

Although the brothers and his friends knew SVS was cooking up a fine story, they let him off the hook with a warning. In his autobiography, my grandfather has also mentioned that the brothers and NSK recalled this incident with laughter many-a-time.

With the ups and the downs and the shared brotherhood, SVS stayed and toured with the troupe for several years until he had to take a hiatus and get back to his family. Why did SVS take a break from acting? What did he do before getting back onstage? What pushed him back on stage? Wait until next week to know all the answers.