LIFE OF SAI BABA

(drama in tamil)

In aid of the Building Fund of the All India Sai Samaj, the members of the Triplicane Dramatic Society enacted the ' Life of Baba' (in Tamil) on Sunday the 30th April 1944, at the Easika Eanjani Sabha Hall, Mylapore, The Hon'ble Justice Diwan Bahadur C. N. Kuppuswamy lyer presided,

Long before the scheduled time, the hall was packed to capa­city and the drama commenced punctually at 5-20 p.m. Dr. V. Eamamurtby, m.b., B.s played the main role of Sree Baba, Sri S. Eamiah as the Moulana, Sri P. B. Sreenivasan as Mahalsapatby, Sri N. V. Sreenivasan as Kulkarni, Sri A. S. Narasimhan, b.a., as Devidoss and Sri K. Natarajan as Lakshmi Bai. The actors selected were suitable for the roles played by them and it was a pleasure that there was a good team spirit among the actors and each actor contribuied his share in full to the crowning success of the Drama. Though the drama was first of its kind in the whole of India, Dr. V. Kamainurthy appeared tiue to the portrait that made the spectators to worship Baba (on the stage).

The story reached its climax when Baba left his soul to meet Allah promising to return in three days and there was pin-drop silence in the auditorium. On his return to normal life after bis visit to Allah, Baba on the stage was greeted with flowers from the auditorium. Comedian Seenu and Sri S. Eamiah were the most suited to their roles as Kulkarni and the fanatic Moulana respectively and they easily got the appreciation of the spectators. The arguments between Moulana and Devidoss were very im­pressive. mb. V. L. Sarma b.a. who played the role of Bannu Mayee and Mr. Natarajan as Lakshmi Bai are equally seasoned

actors.. The light "effects on the stage required some more"im-provement but the slight blanks in that line will be improved next time. The scenes were quite good. The standard of music was high and pleasing. The Drama in short was a complete suc­cess and the members of the Triplicane Dramatic Society have to be really thanked for their splendid performance. The story has been adapted nicely to the stage touching all the important inci­dents in Baha's Life. The Triplicane Dramatic Society with its talented actors and the Doctor for the portrayal of Baba will be able to mark success everywhere they enact the Drama ' Life of Baba.' The Drama started at 5-20.p.M. and closed 9-40 P.M.

During the interval Sri  B.V. Narasimhaswamy,  in garlanding the president  for day thanked for being present in the Drama in spite of his various engagements.   He delivered a short speech on the greatness of Baba and congratulated the actors Sri R.V.Narayana Swamy lyer, m,a., l.t,, who was in charge of the stage arrangements   He congragulated the Orchestra headed by Sri S. V. Eanga (of Ananda who   played on   harmonium.   In the end Swamiji announced a donation of Rs. 100/- from the President of the day, Rs. 101/- from the   Sayee  Company.    The   President  of the   Day thanked the Samaj for the honour done to him and spoke how Sai Baba blends the different communities, Hindus, Muslims and Christians in one and bade them to attain the grace of God treating them all alike. He suggested that Baba is the reincarnation of Ramakrishna  He' in his appeal to everybody, said that they should put faith in Baba and follow his advice.   He congratulated  Dr. V. Ramamurthy on his marvellous acting and that Baba has taken his shape again in him and that the spectators were given the privilege to see Baba on the stage.

At the end of the performance, each actor was presented with a locket and Swamiji placed Udhi on everyone's forehead as a mark of his appreciation. The Drama was a great success and we may place for information of the Sayee Devotees that the gross proceeds amount to Es. 1,479/- towards Building Fund.

We trust that Sai Devotees abroad will try to arrange for the repetition of 4he performance in their places, for a common prayer Hall for the Samaj to function.

Our sincere thanks to the Triplicane Dramatic Society.