On September 23 at 530 pm at Mt Albert War Memorial Hall
Venkat Raman
One of the most respected comedians and film celebrities of Tamil-speaking people will present a vibrant drama for the first time in New Zealand next month.
Y G Mahendran, known as ‘YGee’ to millions of people across the world, will present his highly successful play, ‘Ragasiyam, Parama Ragasiyam’ (‘Secret, Top Secret’) with his full cast of thirteen artistes in Auckland.
His wife Sudha Mahendran is a part of the visiting troupe.
The Auckland Tamil Association is presenting the play at the Mount Albert War Memorial Hall on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at 530 pm.
President Vai Ravindran said this would also be the first full-length Tamil Drama to be staged by a film personality in New Zealand.
“Y G Mahendran will also be acting in the Drama with his impeccable and inimitable comedy dialogues. We invite all Tamil-speaking peoples of New Zealand to purchase tickets and make this unique event successful. Auckland Tamil Association, which is just four years old, has taken the bold initiative of organising such a huge programme, confident of the support and patronage of our people,” he said.
Tickets priced at $100 (with reserved seating and post-buffet dinner at the venue and an opportunity to meet YGee and his crew) and $40 (Unreserved, first comers-occupation basis) are now on sale. Please contact Vai Ravindran on 027-2758266; Vel Murugan on 022-4291730; Murali Kumar on 021-685804 or Arvind Kumar 027-4791340.
View a Special Promo here:
https://www.facebook.com/AucklandTamil/videos/2144337482508679/?t=1
Illustrious Family
Y G Mahendran belongs to the illustrious and famous ‘YGP’ family. His parents, Yecha Gunja Parthasarathy and Yecha Gunja Rajalakshmi are well-known not only in theatre and film circles but also in community and social spheres.
His mother established the ‘Padma Seshadri Group of Schools,’ which, from modest beginnings in a thatched shed in the terrace of the YGP home in 1959 with a batch of eleven students as an act of social service for the members of the Nungambakkam Recreation Club, the school has since emerged as one of the best schools in India.
About Y G Mahendran
Hailing from a family of stage-lovers, YGee evinced keen interest in drama and played the part of a comedian in school plays and earned acclaim. On completion of his schooling from Don Bosco Egmore, he studied Chemical Engineering at A C College of Technology and MBA at the Madras University.
The YGP family has good connections with the Tamil film industry. YGee’s sister Latha is married to Rajnikanth and his daughter Madhuvanthi is married to Arunkumar, the grandson of the late Gemini Ganeshan and Savithri, both great actors of their time.
In 1971, YGee was cast by veteran director K Balachander in ‘Navagraham.’ The film was an average grosser. YGee acted in a variety of roles in several movies the 1960s and 1970s.
Over four decades, he acted in more than 200 films, including in supporting roles with Sivaji Ganesan, Jaishankar, Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth.
He acted with Rajnikanth in ‘Pokkiri Raja,’ ‘Paayum Puli,’ ‘Shri Raghavendra’ and ‘Veera’ and with Kamal Hassan in ‘Apoorva Raagangal,’ ‘Neeya,’ and ‘Guru.’
He also entered the world of business, establishing an industrial ceramics company in 1982.
He sold the flourishing business in 2001 to return to production and acting.
His most recent role being in ‘Yatchan,’ released in 2015.
The Theatre World
He established his ‘United Amateur Artists’ (UAA) one of the first drama companies in Chennai in 1952. He has been one of the foremost dramatists of his era. His first few plays were huge successes attracting audiences by thousands.
YGee fostered his film and stage career simultaneously and his plays have been staged throughout India, South Asia, Europe, USA and now in Australia and New Zealand.
‘Ragasiyam, Parama Ragasiyam’ was first staged in 1975 and over the past 43 years, it has been performed at many cities around the world.
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Photo Caption:
A scene from the Play (taken from Facebook).
Editor’s Note: The actors may not be present in Auckland.
