Soorya Krishnamoorthi, TM Abraham, PV Krishnan Nair to head Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi

The Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi gets new office bearers. Soorya Krishnamoorthy, is appointed as the chairman, TM Abraham as the vice Chairman and Dr. PV Krishnan Nair as new secretary of Kerala Sangeeta Nataka academy.

Krishnamoorthy is the founder-director of the SOORYA Stage and Film Society, a unique organisation promotes Indian arts and culture which is renowned for organizing the Soorya Festival - the longest and one of the most prestigious cultural events in India - in which the finest and most accomplished artists in Indian classical dances and music participate.

Soorya Krishnamoorthy is a pioneer of the Light and Sound show in Malayalam that has completed 30 years. He has also written, conceived and directed various stage shows. He has directed plays including Melvilasam, Premalekhanam, and Parinayam

Earlier he has served as the director of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation, member of the National Film Award jury, the Kerala State Film Award jury, member of the Doordarshan Advisory Committee, the Expert Committee of the Department of Culture, Govt. of India to evolve the cultural policy of the country.

He had won President of India’s National Award for Stage Craft and Direction 1996. “Kalaimamani” Award for Stage Craft and Direction, "Special Recognition" Award for overall contribution in the field of art and culture 2004from govt of Kerala etc.

T M Abraham renowned director and playwright is coming back as the vice chairman of the academy for the second time. Earlier he was the Vice Chairman of the Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Academy during 2001–2004. Earlier he was a member of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, Kerala Kalamandalam, an executive member of the Samasta Kerala Sahitya Parishad etc.

Abraham has published 14 books in Malayalam in various categories, including novel, drama, monograph, and translations. His important plays include Pernthachan, Pr akvukal Ippol karayunnnilla, Keeri muricha Kannu, Raktha bali and his directorial ventures include Madhavi (by Bhisham Sahni), Aham Aham (own script), Waiting for Godot, Antigone, Oedipus and Thughlaq.

He has won awards including the state award for direction in 1980. Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award 1981, K.C.B.C. Literary Award in 1994, V. T. Bhattathiripad award 2001 and the Senior Fellowship by Government of India, Department of Culture, in 2004 etc.

Dr. PV Krishnan Nair who had an earlier term as the secretary of Kerala Sahitya Akademi is the new secretary to the Nataka Akademi of the state.

Hope that the new bunch of people, their experience in organisational, creative and administrative fields will rejuvenate the Akademi and create new energy and focus to its manifold activities.

A thought for forests and nature

 

Express News Service , The New Indian Express

KOCHI:� To propagate the message of nature conservation, ‘Mazhavillu’, a children’s theatre group, will showcase its new play ‘Chipko Chipko’ on July 24. Organised by Lokadharmi and Changampuzha Cultural Trust the play will be staged in Changampuzha Park, Edappally, at 6 pm.

Based on this year’s World Environment Day message — Forest, Nature at your service, the play was developed by the students during the summer camp. “The play is based on the lives of the 363 Bishnoi women who sacrificed their lives to protect trees in 1773.

“This is an attempt to make children aware of our culture as well as social realities that exist in our society,” said Shirly Somasundaran, director of ‘Chipko Chipko’. The protests by the Bishnoi women against felling of trees to build King Abhay Singh’s palace is considered the first attempt by women to safeguard trees in history. The play is set against a Rajasthani background. ‘Mazhavillu’ was officially inaugurated on December 15 with a premiere of children’s version of ‘Charandas Chor’.

‘Mazhavillu’ has produced many plays, including B V Karanth’s ‘Panjarasala’, ‘Chandrasekhar Kambar’s ‘Alibabayum 40 Kallanmarum’,  ‘Bommanahalliyile Kinnara Yogi’, based on the poem by Kuvempu which was designed and directed by Chandradasan, Rabindra Nath Tagore’s ‘Mughdhadhara’ and Arun Puthezhathu’s Tom and Jerry both directed by Sudheer Babu and ‘Girl in the Photograph’ written and directed by Shirly Somasundaran. The plays were performed in various festivals in Kerala and also in New Delhi and Ahmedabad.

Students from Government High school, Edappally, Vidyodaya School, Thevakkal, Government Girls High School, Bhavan’s Vidya Mandir and other schools who are with Mazhavillu will participate in the play.

Courtesy: The New Indian express .

Audition workshop for the new play Caucasiayile Chokku vattam

LOKADHARMI announces the audition workshop for casting in our new play "Cokesiayile Chokku Vattam" an adaptation based on the play Caucasian Chalkcircle by Bretolt Brecht. We are looking forward for 15-20 actors (male and female) who has the passion, time and energy for theatre.

The initial phase of the workshop will equip the actors to act in a Brehtain play and introduce with the text and also explore for the possibilities of adapting it in a contemporary Kerala situation. This phase will take place on Sundays from 10 am to 2.00 pm at Changampuzha park Edappalli. The second phase will be the actual rehearsal and play preparation which will be in the evenings. the whole process will takes place a time span of almost an year.

The play will be designed and directed by Chandradasan.

Those who are interested can contact 09447414200. Your queries are most welcome. Musicians, artistes, and other technicians can also associate with this project.

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