‘CHO’ RAMASWAMY

 

From Sampath’s Desk:

 

 

‘CHO’ RAMASWAMY

 (5 October 1934 - 7 December 2016)

  

A loud voice of fun-making pun-speak full of satire and sarcasm on political and other issues with uncompromising comments and viewpoints has gone silent. Yes, the versatile ‘Cho Ramaswamy’ – a lawyer, actor, stage-play maker, writer-cum-satirist, and magazine editor - a rare blend of intellectual capacities and capabilites rolled into one - is no more. He was more known initially as a good film/stage comedian and subsequently as a critic-columnist. Wisecracking and paronomasia ingrained in him would meaningfully, effectively, and efficiently erupt on apt occasions which were the hallmarks of his entire life. He launched a Tamil fortnightly ‘Thuglak’ in 1970. He passed away on 7.12.2016. 

 

He was a vociferous speaker and prolific writer often with a sense of sensible ridicule and sneering remarks in a funny but impressive language. His witty dialogue deliverance, sense of timing, in-depth intelligence, presence/application of mind, satirical political discourses, and poking punch speaking and writing were unmatched. Even while staging the same drama/play on different occasions, I had observed different dialogues being pressed into service by him and his troupe in tune with the prevailing trends in important scenes, however retaining the original flair, flavour, and spirit, but just changing the letter as opposed to travelling on the beaten track that left the audience amazed and amused. He was a natural springboard and never-exhaustive fountainhead of situational and cognitive comedy skills, a reservoir of banters, joke-cutting, laughter-generating sarcasm, etc., and had a perennial flow in them par excellence. He had a flair for intellectual political satire. Undoubtedly, he also had a gift for parody.

 

His answers to readers’ questions in his magazine would always be couched in such a satirical language that even the persons criticized would admire his witty sense, relish and laugh it away without taking umbrage. No one could easily guess Cho's answers to different questions. Everything would be unique in character, sense, substance, and sarcasm. Wherever Cho was present, there would be no dearth of witty exchanges invoking peels of instantaneous laughter. He symbolized, epitomized, and in fact was synonymous with instantaneous joking in jocular, jovial and jestful ways. 

 

Who can forget his theatrical masterpiece plays like ‘Mohammad-bin-Thuqlak’, ‘Vunmayae Vun Vilai Enna’, ‘Judgment reserved’, ‘Sambavaami Yuge Yuge’, ‘Nermai Urangum Neram’, ‘Saathiram Sonnathillai’, ‘Vande Mataram’  and ‘Enru Thaniyum Inda Sudandira Thaagam, to mention a few? He had to his credit at least 25 stage-plays, a comedy actor in more than 100 films, story-cum-screenplay writer for 14 films, 4 teleplays, 6 novels,, and a host of articles on socio-political issues. His narrative skills with some funny anecdotes and tidbits to drive home his well-considered views, points and opinions singled him out as an all-round commentator on diverse subjects and key issues. He was an invaluable asset to the Tamil stage-drama and film world. 

He was close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a respected elder of the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister late J. Jayalalithaa. 

Actually, constructive criticism is a ‘no-cost research’.  Although he used to criticize all and sundry and spared none including himself, he maintained good relations with all.

 

It needs no over-emphasis that he was a multi-faced personality and all-rounder. He was always insightful, out-spoken, forthright, conscience-stirring, and grilling in his speeches and writings. 

 

In his departure, we have lost an all-round critic of an unrestrained, unceasing, and unfailing satirical substance and constructive criticism on all topics under the sky.

 

         

R.SAMPATH

8/12/2016