Kerala - Kozhikode   

In memory of a pioneer playwright

Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE: The 135th birth anniversary of V.S. Andrews, playwright, actor, editor and social activist, will be observed at a programme being held under the aegis of the Kochi-based V.S. Andrews Foundation and the Chavara Cultural Centre here on Saturday.

The `Suvarna Sahiti' prize will be presented to social critic Sukumar Azhikode by the former Bishop of the Latin Catholic Diocese Rev. Maxwell Noronha on the occasion.

The former Vice-Chancellor of Calicut University K.A. Jaleel will inaugurate the programme.

Known as a pioneer in the arena of Malayalam dance drama, Andrews staged his first play in 1891.

His plays were staged at the palace of the Cochin Rajahs in the presence of the members of the royal family, indicating that Malayalam drama had been elevated to a dignified form of art.

Andrews' career began with the writing of `Isthaki Charitham,' a social satire. He moved on to Hindu religious themes in `Ramayana Yathra' and `Padukapattabhishekam,' and to Christian themes in `Paradise Lost,' `Jhanasundari,' and `Mishiha Charithram.'

His `Akbar the Great' was an attempt at religious and cultural synthesis and the nature of permanence of human love as seen in the Mughal court.

He then delved into the freedom movement and the evils of dictatorship in `Viplavalokam' and `Pramadam,' a tragedy resulting from human error.

To Andrews goes the credit of penning more than 40 Malayalam dramas in different genres and breaking the hegemony of Tamil and Sanskrit theatre here.

Andrews was born at Chellanam, near Kochi, in 1872. He was well-versed in Malayalam, Tamil, and Sanskrit and had good knowledge of Carnatic music.

He taught a number of noted theatre personalities, including Sebastian Kunhukunhu Bhagavathar, Augustine Joseph, Oachira Velukutty, and artiste P.J. Cherian.

The playwright also set up drama troupes and staged plays.

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