Despite the resurgence, 2022 exposed structural weaknesses:
Tamil theatre, with its rich legacy of Nadaga Sabhais (drama clubs) and Surabhi companies, faced an existential challenge during COVID-19. By early 2022, as restrictions eased, theatre groups pivoted from online readings to full-scale productions. The year was characterized by a dual movement: a nostalgic return to classic plays by Cho Ramaswamy and S. Ve. Shekher, and a bold embrace of new writing addressing caste, gender, and mental health. tamil play 2022