Varsha as Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

The lights on the stage are dimmed. Gadadhar Chattopadhyay fervently prays to a life-size idol of Kali for darshan at the Dakshineshwar Temple in Calcutta. Gadadhar is excited when he finally goes to the temple. His passion touches the hearts of the audience. Varsha Krishnamurthy, who plays the role of Gadadhar, plays the role with aplomb.

Not only Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Varsha has also played the roles of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Maha Pariva, Ramana Maharshi and Shirdi Sai Baba. In the last decade, as part of the Mahalakshmi Ladies Drama Group (MLDG founded by Bombay Gunnam), Varsha has done more than 200 shows and played several roles.

Varsha’s journey in theater began during his school and college days. While still in primary school, he once scripted and directed a play on Tinkle Comics’ popular character Soupandi. “I also played Sopandi,” she recalls. He joined MLDJ in his early twenties. MLDG has been his training ground. He picked up the nuances of the craft in rehearsal sessions. “Experience has been my best teacher,” she says.

It was during a rehearsal that she landed the lead role. “I usually know the dialogues of all the characters in the play. So when we were rehearsing for the play on Maha Periyava, Gunnam aunty was very impressed with my performance and asked me to play the title role.

Varsha also owes her acting skills to senior theater artist and music composer R Giradharan. “I saw him getting into the skin of the character when he was dubbing for a play on Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. It was then that I realized the importance of acting during dubbing.

Over the years, Varsha learned how to perfect her dialogue delivery, expressions and body language. When asked what she is preparing for to make her performance glamorous, Varsha credits it to Bombay Gunnam. “Though there is a voice-over for the dialogues, she makes sure that we memorize every line to maintain time and spontaneity on stage. She insisted that before I play the roles of various saints, So I read books, browsed the internet and talked to historians to get a glimpse into their lives.

Talking about the camaraderie among the group members, Varsha says, “MLDG is like home for me. You are never disturbed while working.”

After each performance, audience members gather backstage to meet Varsha. He remembers how once after a play on Maha Periyava, he came to seek his blessings. “We got prasadam from the Kanchi Mutt, which I distributed among them.”

Varsha now shuttles between Chennai and France. He completed his MBA this year from …, where he joined a theater group. “I was the first non-French speaker to audition for him, and promised him that I would learn the language soon. He was surprised to see me play Sherlock Holmes’ Dr. John H. Watson for the audition. .

Varsha was in Chennai for an MLDG play earlier this year though their bond fell apart. “Playing different saints has had a positive impact on my life. It has helped me deal with pain and challenges,” she says.