T. P. Kailasam
Encyclopedia
Thyagaraja Paramasiva Kailasam (1884–1946), was a playwright
and prominent writer
of Kannada
literature. His contribution to Kannada
theatrical
comedy earned him the title Prahasana Prapitamaha, "the father of humorous plays".
family in southern Karnataka
, India
, and educated in England
. On his return to Karnataka he worked to improve the literary scene there. His life was dedicated to local theater and his contributions revolutionised it. His application of humor to his plays left an everlasting impression on Kannadigas
. He opposed the company theatre's obsession with mythology and stories of royalty and shied away from overloading his plays with music. Instead, he introduced simple, realistic sets. Kailasam chaired the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana
held at Chennai
, then called Madras, in 1945. His speech was short but effective.
Kailasam came from a family of scholars and professionals. His father was the eminent Justice Paramasiva Iyer. Kailasam had benefited from a good education in his youth and was sponsored by the Maharaja
of Mysore to move on to higher studies in geology
at London
. Kailasam was enchanted with life in the United Kingdom and took the time to repeat several classes, one at a time, in order to have an excuse to extend his stay there. He spent a total of six years in school there, participating in theatre whenever possible, and then returned to India.
Soon after his return, he joined the government geology service. He took his work seriously and did well, but became unimpressed with life in a government job and quit. His father had had ambitious plans for Kailasam, hoping that he would become the Director General of the Geology Department. He was disappointed in his son and stopped talking to him. Kailasam barely noticed, as he had shed his former lifestyle and began living as a nocturnal bohemian, writing plays.
Kailasam was initially criticised for modern use of the Kannada language in his plays, but his work became popular and are considered among the best in Kannada theatre, legendary for their wit and satirical commentary on society, much of which is still relevant today.
So they say that kannadakke obbane kailasam, Hasyakke obbane Beechi;
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
and prominent writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
of Kannada
Kannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
literature. His contribution to Kannada
Kannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
theatrical
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
comedy earned him the title Prahasana Prapitamaha, "the father of humorous plays".
Early life
Kailasam was born in a TamilTamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
family in southern Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, and educated in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. On his return to Karnataka he worked to improve the literary scene there. His life was dedicated to local theater and his contributions revolutionised it. His application of humor to his plays left an everlasting impression on Kannadigas
Kannadigas
Kannadiga , or Kannadati is a reference to the people who natively speak the Kannada language. Kannadigas are mainly located in the state of Karnataka in India and in the neighboring states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa and Maharashtra...
. He opposed the company theatre's obsession with mythology and stories of royalty and shied away from overloading his plays with music. Instead, he introduced simple, realistic sets. Kailasam chaired the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana
Kannada Sahitya Sammelana
Kannada Sahitya Sammelana is the premier gathering of writers, poets and kannadigas. It is held with the aim of preserving and developing Kannada language, its literature, arts, culture and music. It was started in 1915 and held at Bangalore for the first time. It used to be inaugurated by...
held at Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
, then called Madras, in 1945. His speech was short but effective.
Kailasam came from a family of scholars and professionals. His father was the eminent Justice Paramasiva Iyer. Kailasam had benefited from a good education in his youth and was sponsored by the Maharaja
Maharaja
Mahārāja is a Sanskrit title for a "great king" or "high king". The female equivalent title Maharani denotes either the wife of a Maharaja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata...
of Mysore to move on to higher studies in geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
at London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Kailasam was enchanted with life in the United Kingdom and took the time to repeat several classes, one at a time, in order to have an excuse to extend his stay there. He spent a total of six years in school there, participating in theatre whenever possible, and then returned to India.
Soon after his return, he joined the government geology service. He took his work seriously and did well, but became unimpressed with life in a government job and quit. His father had had ambitious plans for Kailasam, hoping that he would become the Director General of the Geology Department. He was disappointed in his son and stopped talking to him. Kailasam barely noticed, as he had shed his former lifestyle and began living as a nocturnal bohemian, writing plays.
Kailasam was initially criticised for modern use of the Kannada language in his plays, but his work became popular and are considered among the best in Kannada theatre, legendary for their wit and satirical commentary on society, much of which is still relevant today.
So they say that kannadakke obbane kailasam, Hasyakke obbane Beechi;