Riyadh: Mortal remains of Cuddalore worker brought home from Saudi Arabia
The mortal remains of Mani Karuppaiah from Edachithur in Cuddalore district, who passed away in Saudi Arabia on November 20, 2025, were flown to Tamil Nadu and reached his hometown on Tuesday.
Mani, who worked as a general worker in a marble factory in Riyadh, suffered a severe brain hemorrhage during duty hours in August 2024 and slipped into a coma. He was first treated at Shemaishi Hospital in Riyadh and later shifted to Ruwaydah Al-Ardh General Hospital, about 230 km from the capital, where he remained under treatment for more than seven months until his death.
After completing all legal and administrative procedures, the body was sent from King Khalid International Airport on December 8 at 10.35 pm via Sri Lanka on Colombian Airlines. It arrived at Tiruchirapalli International Airport at 9.15 am on December 9. His nephew Raja Duraisamy received the remains, which were taken by ambulance to Edachithur. The last rites were performed at 3 pm.
Riyadh-based pro-bono lawyer and social worker Adv. P. A. Hameed Padubidri coordinated the documentation process in liaison with the Indian Embassy. He had been following the case since Mani was admitted to hospital in August 2024. Efforts to shift Mani to India for treatment could not materialise due to legal hurdles.
Members of the Tamil community in Riyadh, including Rahim Suraj and colleagues of the deceased, Kumar Guru and Gughanathan Nagappan, also assisted in the process.
The family has thanked Adv. Hameed, the Tamil community members and the Indian Embassy for their support.
Mani is survived by his mother K. Vennila, wife Sanjalam, daughters Priya and Kaviyarasi, son Ponnarasan and other relatives. He had been employed in Riyadh for more than ten years.
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‘Nirdiganta’ expands to coastal Karnataka; theatre initiative to be launched in Udupi on January 18
Udupi: After making a mark in Mysuru through continuous theatre activity over the past two-and-a-half years, theatre collective ‘Nirdiganta’ is set to expand its presence to coastal Karnataka, with the launch of ‘Karavaliya Nirdiganta’ in Udupi on January 18.
Addressing a press conference at the Udupi Press Club on Wednesday, theatre practitioner and actor Prakash Raj, one of the founders of Nirdiganta, said the initiative aims to take theatre closer to people through regular performances, workshops and interaction with audiences.
He said the coastal edition of Nirdiganta will feature a three-day programme comprising children’s plays, an educational theatre workshop and stage productions by different theatre groups. All events will be held from January 18 to 21 at the IYC auditorium of Yakshagana Kalaaranga.
“Nirdiganta began in Srirangapatna and has now come to the coast seeking a new bond with theatre lovers here. Let us watch plays together, talk, and share experiences,” Prakash Raj said.
Children’s plays and workshop on opening day
On the first day, January 18, three children’s plays, an educational theatre workshop and the inaugural ceremony will be held.
From 10.30 am to 11.45 am, students of Aruru Morarji Desai Residential School will stage the play Mruga Mattu Sundari, directed by Bindu Rakshidi. This will be followed by the science-based children’s play Curious by students of Karnataka Public School, Kokkarne, from 12.30 pm to 1 pm. The play, which has won a state-level award recently, is written by Varadaraj BirtI and directed by Rohith S. Baikadi.
An educational theatre workshop will be held from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm, where teachers from the coastal region who have long been associated with both education and theatre will share their experiences. Participants include education expert Dr Mahabaleshwara Rao, DIET Udupi lecturer Dr K Kishore Kumar Shetty, Manipal ENGJC vice-principal Nagendra Pai, teacher Varadaraj BirtI, Surabhi institution’s Sudhakar P Baindoor, and theatre director Arunlal.
Inauguration and evening performances
The inauguration of Karavaliya Nirdiganta will take place at 6 pm on January 18. Writer and thinker Fakir Mohammed Katapadi will inaugurate the event in the presence of Prakash Raj. This will be followed by the children’s play Kuni Kuni Navile, written by H S Venkatesh Murthy and directed by Rohith S. Baikadi.
On January 19 at 6.30 pm, the play Devara Aatmahathye, based on writings by Beechi and Srinivasa Vaidya, will be staged by the Sangama Kalavidera team from Manipal. The play is adapted and directed by Ramesh K Benakal.
On January 20 at 6.30 pm, Nirdiganta will present the play Rama, Krishna, Shiva, based on the writings of Lohia, with adaptation, music and direction by Ganesh Mandarthi.
On the concluding day, January 21, the programme Samateya Haadu will be presented at 6 pm in the presence of Prakash Raj. This will be followed by the play Kodalla Andre Kodalla, adapted from Dario Fo’s Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay?, from 7.15 pm to 9.15 pm. The concept, design and direction of the play are by Shakeel Ahmed.
Raju Manipal, Ganesh Mandarthi, Shakeel Ahmed and others were present at the press conference.
Views on governance and cinema
Responding to a question on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah completing a long tenure in office, Prakash Raj said records are made by many leaders, but Devraj Urs and Siddaramaiah belong to different times and contexts and cannot be directly compared. He said it would be good for the Chief Minister to maintain stronger control over administration and address allegations of corruption in his close circles to ensure transparent governance.
He said he congratulated Siddaramaiah and described him as a strong backward-class leader, but added that he is not someone who only praises and will also raise questions when required. “We are not a political party. We are a continuous opposition,” he said.
On his career, Prakash Raj said he does not believe in looking back and prefers to keep moving forward, adding that the journey of life matters the most.
Speaking about upcoming films, he said he is acting in Rajamouli-directed Varanasi, Purushavatara, Jananayagan starring actor Vijay, and the Hindi film Drishyam 3.
