SAN FRANCISCO: Noted Tamil film and stage actor S Ve Shekher was honored in Bay Area for his service to films and stage by Prof. George L Hart, distinguished professor of Tamil at the University of California, Berkeley. He was presented the title “Nataka Ulaga Nayagan” (King of Drama). The event was organized by Geekay, a Cupertino-based theater group and Maniram.
Professor Hart, a world renowned Indologist, was responsible for inaugurating the Tamil department at Berkeley. He has studied Latin and Greek as well as several modern European and Indian languages. Hart is best known for his translations of several Tamil epics into English and for asserting that Tamil should be classified as a classical language. In 2004 the Indian Cabinet recognized Tamil as a classical language.
Playwright, television, film and theatre artiste playing lead roles, Shekher is a household name with Tamil connoisseurs, popularly known for his punch, quick wit and humor since 1974. Encouraged by the success of a Singapore drama tour in that year, he founded his own drama troupe Nataka Priya which has so far produced 24 stage plays and performed more than 5900 shows.
He has toured US, Canada, Dubai, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand to stage plays. In the US he created history in staging full length dramas with his own troupe – 28 shows in 32 days apart from performing his mega hit plays with the local talents at Washington, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Seattle and Philadelphia.
Shekher made his debut with K Balachander’s 1980 film Varumayin Niram Sigapu and since then has acted in nearly 90 films.
He was also the Regional Chair-person of Central Board of Film Censors.
Shekher popularized eye donation, blood donation and diabetes prevention through his innumerable stage plays.
Shekher was awarded Tamil Nadu Government’s prestigious Kalaivanar Award in 1991 and Kalaimamani in 1993. American Tamil University conferred on him a doctorate for his theatre activity and social services.
Shekher is a regular blood donor having donated more than 50 times and raised funds for the good cause with the help of Jaycees, Lions and Rotary Clubs. He was also elected as Member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
PM Swamy
