Theatre in Kerala has seen so many tides of change all these years. But, for more than four decades, the 'rangapadam' (backdrop) is associated with a single name; Sujathan aka Artist Sujathan. Ever since the state government instituted an award for stage setting in theatre, it has no takers except Sujathan. The man, who brought 'buses', 'mines' and even 'moving lifts' to the stage, is back with a new innovation. Sujathan is giving a makeover to the set in Aksharakala's 'Matilerikanni', where, a three-dimensional effect of a fort is created using a metal structure.Some of the basic requirements of drama such as the front curtain, banner of the production company, cane and rope (to fix the set) etc are not used in this drama. The drama can be performed with or without a stage. 'Matilerikanni' was recently staged on the ground when the actual stage could not accommodate the 30x28 metal set. In addition to the Fort, Sujathan has designed as many as 12 backdrops for the play. This includes the sets of a 'Kalari', temple, traditional Kerala house, battlefield and even a seven-storied building.“It would take almost six hours to fix the stage. Two vehicles are needed for its transportation. The expense would exceed the cost of staging three dramas. But director Mennambalam Santhosh was ready to face the challenge as it would bring a change,” Sujathan added.As part of redefining drama, transition of scenes are achieved without switching off the lights. “Instead of switching off the lights, a black curtain is used to get the effect. When scenes change, the black curtain will fall five feet behind the stage. When the actor arrives, the black curtain will give way to the new backdrop,” Sujathan explains. This will give continuity to the two-and-half-hour drama, he adds.In order to add the visual impact, the curtain separating the stage and the viewer has been removed. "This will bring people closer to the stage. The viewers will get the ambiance of the period much before the drama actually begins. The banner of the 'samiti' too has been removed from the stage,” Sujathan said.Sujathan, who has done more than 3000 sets, has always amused theatre lovers with innovative techniques. For KPAC's 'Kaiyum Talayum Purathidarutu', he brought a bus onto the stage. Sujathan created the profile of a bus and gave a moving effect by changing the back curtain. For another drama directed by actor Thilakan, Sujathan created a moving lift on the stage.The uncrowned king in the field for around 44 years, Sujathan continues to revolutionise the drama set using innovative backdrops and special light ups. He had worked with the bigwigs of drama such as Thoppil Bhasi, NN Pillai, P J Antony, Ponkunnam Varkey, K T Muhammed, Prof G Shankara Pillai, O Madhavan, S L Puram Sadanandan, Pirappincode Murali, P K Venukuttan etc.
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