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NT Bureau
Chennai, Dec 27:

        Nataka Priya, a drama troupe run by noted actor and Mylapore MLA S Ve Sheker, will conduct its 5007th stage show on 1 January in Chennai.

        Announcing this at a press meet here yesterday, Sheker said MDMK general secretary Vaiko and political critic Cho would participate in the programme which would feature Alwa, one of his much acclaimed dramas.

        He also said artistes would be honoured with awards on the occasion.

        Going down the memory lane, the actor- turned- politician recalled the support given to him by his friends, co-artistes and the press.

        'It is the press which extended its full support to me in all my endeavours. Without it, I would have not been able to reach this 5000-mark.'

        Urging the government to back the cause of dramatists, Sheker said public halls like Kalaivanar Arangam should not be rented out to private or family functions.

        Adding that the rule made in the British rule to get a certificate from the Police Department before staging a drama should be revoked, Sheker said the British did so to stop artistes from criticising them in plays.

        Sheker, who was all praise to his drama troupe, said it was because of their cooperation, Nataka Priya had been able to produce 24 dramas in more than 5000 shows in a span of 32 years.

        Describing Cho as his mentor, Sheker said, 'I was inspired by him, especially his political satire, in all his stage shows. 'This type of dramatisation will have the audience in splits.'

        He also said plans were in the pipeline to introduce his son as a hero in a Tamil movie.