Tamil theatre has long historical and cultural ties to the Tamil diaspora in both Singapore and Malaysia. The medium has been preserved, nurtured, and reimagined by the generations of Tamil theatre artists who have poured their soul and being into keeping the art of drama alive in this region. In Singapore, the younger generation of Tamils are showing a new vigour and enthusiasm towards the art form, expressing new forms of genre and aesthetic to the scene.
Mr. G. Selvanathan, 56, the founding director of Avant Theatre and Language, shares with Tabla that the interest shown by the youth is incredibly heartening. Stating how the Tamil theatre scene during the 80s and 90s had been focused on expressing the societal problems around them. In contemporary times, the theatre medium has expanded to include new aspects that further attract a younger crowd.
Avant Theatre and Language, Agam Theatre Lab, Athipathi, and Singapore Indian Theatre and Films Explorers (SITFE), the four major theatre groups in the Tamil theatre industry today, offer various genres and styles of productions while nurturing a new generation of theatre practitioners, from actors to playwrights to directors. Lab Subramanian Ganesh, founder of Agam Theatre, shares with Tabla that many young actors are immersing themselves in the theatre scene right after their school productions.
In 2023, the four major theatre groups collectively produced six shows. Notably, four of these productions—Avant’s “Raasi,” Athipathi’s “Athipathi,” Agam’s “Vidhai,” and SITFE’s “Solo”—featured casts and crews primarily under the age of 23. These performances were held in various venues, including the Esplanade Theatre Studio, and some even played to sold-out audiences.
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