Two Kerala theatre groups, both said to be affiliated to the CPI-M, are set to stage plays on the life and death of Saddam Hussein.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two Kerala theatre groups, both said to be affiliated to the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), are set to stage plays on the life and death of the late Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.
While one group is called Mudra and is based here, the other is the party's theatre wing, Sangachetana, based at the CPI-M's headquarters in Kannur.
P Sasi, Kannur district secretary of the CPI-M, said while both the groups were doing plays on Saddam Hussein there was no rivalry involved.
"It is our desire that more cultural troupes come forward with plays on Saddam Hussein because the central message is nothing but a fight against imperialist forces," Sasi said.
"Is it possible for a troupe from Kannur to go and stage this all across the state? We feel not just a troupe from Thiruvananthapuram but other troupes too should do it so that the message is sent down to the masses fast," said Sasi.
PC Mohanan, a professional drama actor and the life and soul of Mudra, said its play on Saddam Hussein was planned when the late leader was in jail. It had hurriedly readied the script and begun practice then itself, he said.
"We never expected him to be hanged that fast. Now that he has been hanged, we have to change the climax scenes. The play would be staged here May 1 this year," said Mohanan. Saddam Hussein was put to death in December.
He also dispelled rumours that Mudra has the blessings of Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan.
"This is nothing but a piece of art and one about our fight against imperialism. In the past we have staged plays on similar themes and there is nothing political in this and there is no clash with any group or faction or any other drama troupe," said Mohanan.
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