Kerala - Kochi   

Theatre festival book released

IN TRIBUTE: Senior filmmaker K. G. George releasing the festival book, of the national theatre festival of plays by Kavalam Narayana Panicker organised by the Ernakulam Press Club, by handing over a copy to T. M. Abraham, playwright and director, in Kochi on Saturday.

KOCHI: K. G. George, the master story-teller who explored the backstage drama of a travelling drama troupe through his ‘Yavanika’, is an ardent fan of the theatre movement.

He made a trip down memory lane on the occasion of the release of the festival book of the national theatre festival on plays by Kavalam Narayana Panicker here on Saturday.

Recalling the glorious past of Malayalam theatre, Mr. George said that the amateur plays staged during the late 60s and early 70s provided new impetus to Malayalam cinema. “The plays presented during those times had a major impact on the audience,” he said.

The director’s Yavanika remains fresh in the memory of film buffs for its daring narrative techniques and storytelling.

Mr. George was also successful in extracting some of the best performances ever in the career of renowned actors like the late Bharat Gopi and Nedumudy Venu. The director is keen on watching the plays by Kavalam to be presented at the Edappally Changampuzha Park from September 15 onwards. “I would love to watch them,” he said.

T. M. Abraham, playwright and director, who released the festival website ( www.ekmpressclub.com), pointed out that Kavalam had effectively infused the Indian perspective in his plays. “The plays had earned international fame through its different narrative and presentation techniques,” he said.

The festival book published by the Ernakulam Press Club is a tribute to Kavalam. Antony John, president of Ernakulam Press Club, said that the fest was part of the social contact programmes being organised by the club on its ruby jubilee year. “We were particular that it should have the stamp of the Press club. And that was how we decided to honour Sri. Kavalam, the doyen of Malayalam theatre, on his 80th birth year”.

Chandradasan, festival director, said that the festival was an attempt to honour Kavalam and his contributions in different aspects of Indian theatre, as a playwright, director and translator. This festival showcases the plays Kallurutty (written and directed by Kavalam) and the Sanskrit classics Karnabharam (Bhasa) and Malavikagnimitram (Kalidasa), interpreted, designed and directed by Kavalam.

Renowned filmmaker M.S. Sathyu will inaugurate the festival at 5.30 p.m. The fest is being organised by the Ernakulam Press Club in association with the National School of Drama’s Regional Resource Centre at Bangalore and Apple a Day Properties.

Eight plays by Kavalam will be staged during the week, with two plays scheduled on the penultimate day. A highlight of the festival will be an interactive session “Kavalam on Kavalam.” The unique session will see Kavalam going through his life and career as a theatre person and as a writer.

K.G. Poulose, Vice-Chancellor of Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University, will moderate these sessions to be held at the Ernakulam Press Club.

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