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Malayalam drama

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Malayalam drama,known asNatakam(നാടകം) inMalayalam,is an important genre ofMalayalam literature.The origin of Malayalam drama can be traced back to various performing arts of Kerala such asKathakali.Drama,as is understood now, is a borrowed art form inKeralaand started with the publication of the Malayalam translation ofAbhijnana Shakuntalamin 1882. The field of Malayalam theatre and drama became active by the end of the 19th century. It played an active role in the early-20th-century Kerala reform movement.

Early history

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Sanskrit era

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Kerala Varma's translation ofAbhijnana Shakuntalam(1882) was an acclaimed work of poetry and was a success on the stage.

The elements of drama can be found in various performing arts of Kerala such asKathakaliandThullal.Drama, as is understood now, is a borrowed art form in Kerala.[1]The Portuguese who came to Kerala in the sixteenth century, had popularisedChavittu Natakam,a type of play similar to the miracle plays of the west. The earliest examples of this type areGenoa,Caralman(Charlemagne) andNapolean.These plays however did not influenceMalayalam literaturein any way.[2]The influence of Sanskrit is evident in the early Malayalam plays. In 1882,Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampurantranslated the Sanskrit dramaAbhijnana Shakuntalaminto Malayalam. Although it was written in a highly SanskritisedManipravalamstyle, it is regarded as the first literary work in Malayalam that fits into the modern definition of drama.[3]The success of this work influenced several translations of Sanskrit plays in quick succession. Many Sanskrit dramas likeJanaki Parinayam(1889)Mālavikāgnimitram(1890),Vikramōrvaśīyam,Uttararamacarita(1892),Ascharya Choodamani(1893),SvapnavasavadattamandMadhyamavyayogahad translations in Malayalam.[4]Abhijnana Shakuntalamwas the most successful among all, having come out in nearly two dozen translations.[5]The most important translators includedKerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran,A. R. Raja Raja Varma,Attoor Krishna PisharodyandVallathol Narayana Menon.[4]In addition to renderings of works by Sanskrit dramatists, several writers attempted original plays in Sanskrit. There are over 100 Sanskrit plays credited to authors from Kerala.[6]

Musical dramas

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The interest in Sanskrit dramas did not last long. The musical dramas were getting popular in Tamil Nadu and made its way into Kerala too. Some of the earliest notable works of this type in Malayalam includeSangeeta Naishidhamby T. C. Achutha Menon,Sadaramaby K. C. Kesava Pillai andBalagopalanby Kuttamath.[7]The music dramas of Malayalam were essentially modelled on the Tamil prototype. The Tamil musical dramas were mostly filled with long drawn-out songs and had little importance for prose dialogue. Malayalam musical dramas deviated in style and tried to conserve some measure of dramatic propriety.[8]The interest in musical dramas did not sustain for long as people demanded something more realistic.[7]Nevertheless, the tradition survives even now in a masked form, in the liberal use of songs in popular types of theatrical production.[8]Manomohanam Company (Thiruvattar Narayana Pillai) and Rasikaranjini (Chambathil Chathukutty Mannadiyar) were famous theatre groups in Kerala.[9]

Western influence

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The first translation of a Shakespearian play to appear in Malayalam wasAlmarattam(1866) byKalloor Oommen Philippose.[10]A free translation ofThe Comedy of Errors,it was also the first Malayalam play to be published as a book.[11]During the last quarter of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century, many Western plays were translated into Malayalam. Shakespeare's plays were widely translated. Examples areAlmarattam,Portsiaswayamvaram(Chembakaraman Velayudhan –The Merchant of Venice),Kalahinidamanakam(Kandathil Varghese Mappillai–The Taming of the Shrew),Hamlet(Kodungallur Kunjikkuttan Thampuran) andOthello(Sanjayan). InKalahinidamanakam,the translator Indianises the incidents and the names of characters and places. Petruchio is Parthasarathy, Tranio is Tranakan, Biondello is Pandunki, Grumio is Kumaran and Curtis is Kattari. Similarly, the places Padua becomes Patalipuram and Verona becomes Varanadesham.[12]The other works that were translated during the 19th century includeGhosts,Rosmersholm,(Henrik Ibsen),A Marriage Proposal(Anton Chekhov),The Power of Darkness(Leo Tolstoy),The Rivals(Richard Brinsley Sheridan) andOedipus Rex(Sophocles).[7]

Original plays in Malayalam

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A few original plays were written in Malayalam during the last quarter of the 19th century. This includesKodungallur Kunjikkuttan Thampuran'sLakshanasangam,Naduvath Achan Nambuthiri'sBhagavadduth(1892), Polachirakkal Kocheeppan Tharakan'sMariamma Natakamand Kochunni Thampuran'sKalyani Natakam(1889). Munshi Ramakurup wroteChakkichankaramin mockery of the rise of vernacular plays in Malayalam. Sarasakavi K. C. Narayanan Nambiar composed another satirical play in Malabar also titledChakkichankaram.[11]

Early-mid 20th century

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C. V. Raman Pillaiwas an important writer during the early periods of Malayalam drama. He wrote several humorous plays includingPandathe PachanandDoctorkku Kittiya Mitcham

C. V. Raman Pillaiwas the first to write farces in Malayalam. Examples includePandathe Pachan,Butler Pappan,Doctorkk Kittiya Mitcham,Kuripinte Thiripppu,KurupillakalariandKaimalassante Kadassikai.[13]E. V. Krishna Pillai,N. P. Chellappan Nair,M. G. Kesava Pillai,T. N. Gopinathan Nairand others further developed farce literature.[13]Kainikkara Padmanabha Pillaigave a new light to the world of theatre with his works likeKalvariyile Kalpa Padapam,Velu Thampy DalavaandAgnipanjarametc.,[1],Edasseri Govindan Nair's socio-political play "Kootu Krishi" (1940), "Thirichhethhal", "Njetiyil Patarathha Mulla", "Njangal Dayaye Thookkikkonnu",Kainikkara Kumara Pillai'sHarishchandran,Mohavum Muktiyum,Veshangaletc. are also notable works.[13]V. T. BhattathiripadwroteAdukkalayail Ninnu Arangathekkuwhich strongly reacted against the decadence of theNambudiri communityand was an important event in the social reform calendar of Kerala.M. P. Bhattathiripad'sRitumatiwas another important social play.[13]K. Damodaran'sPattabakiwhich tells the story of a poor tenant in Malabar evicted by a cruel landlord, is the first political play in Malayalam.[14]Another notable work is (. Important political dramas of the period includeP. Kesavadev'sMunnottu,Madyapani,Pradhana Mantri,Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai'sThotilla,Ponkunnam Varkey'sJethakkalandVisarikku Katu Venda,Thoppil Bhasi'sNingalenne CommunistaakiandMudiyanaya Puthran.K. T. Muhammed's plays likeKaravatta PasuandIthu Bhoomiyanuare also noteworthy.N. Krishna Pillai,who is known as Ibsen of Malayalam, wrote plays that took Malayalam drama forward in different directions. His works includeBhagna Bhavanam,Kanyaka,Balabalam,Anuranjanam'andAzhimughathekku.[13]

Post-independence

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G. Sankara Pillaiwho was an advocate oftotal theatrehelped introduce a system and academic discipline to modern Malayalam theatre.[15]

Pulimana Parameswaran Pillai'sSamatvavadiwritten in an expressionist style can be said to be the harbinger of a change in Malayalam drama.[13]C. J. ThomasandC. N. Sreekantan Nair,who can be called the pioneers of modern Malayalam drama, came to the scene after Parameswaran Pillai. Thomas'sAvan Veendum Varunnu,1128-il Crime 27andAa Manushyan Nee Thanne,and Nair'sRamayanatrilogy—Kanchana Sita,SakethamandLankalakshmi—clearly reoriented the Malayalam theatre world.G. Sankara Pillai,N. N. Pillaietc. further developed this stream.[13]One-act plays and radio plays emerged in the 1940s. K. Ramakrishna Pillai andN. N. Pillaiwere the pioneers of one-act plays. Important writers of radio play include S. K. Nair, Ananda Kuttan,P. Bhaskaran,Vira Raghavan Nair,C. N. Sreekantan Nair,Nagavally R. S. Kurup,Jagathy N. K. AcharyandEdasseri Govindan Nair.[16]

As part of introducing the new experiments in western theatre to Malayalam, severalancient Greek playswere translated into Malayalam. C. J. Thomas is the most important of the translators. Renowned as a playwright, dramatist and critic, he translatedSophocles'Oedipus RexandAntigone,andAristophanes'Lysistratainto Malayalam.Euripides'Alcestiswas translated by S. K. Nair asPati DevataandMedeawas translated byPuthussery Ramachandran.Aristophanes'The Frogswas translated by E. M. J. Venniyoor asThavalakal.Greek drama translations have crucial importance in the history of Malayalam drama.[17]

Although indigenous drama (Thanathu Nataka Vedi) was formed during the days of C. N. Sreekantan Nair,Kavalam Narayana Panicker's works widened its scope. Dramas likeKarinkutti,Kalathini,Avanavan Kadamba,DaivatharandKaikutappadubelong to this trend.[13]Vayala Vasudevan Pillai(Kuchelagatha,Varavelppu,Kalapporu,Yatra),P. M. Taj(Ravunni,Kudukka,Mary Lawrence,Rajavinte Chenda),P. J. Antony(Inquilabinte Makkal,Nilaykatha Ganam),Thikkodiyan(Jivitam,Punyatheertham,Pushpavrishti,Theepori),P. Balachandran(Pavam Usman,Samarayilekk),Narendra Prasad(Ira,Souparnika,Marthandavarma Engane Rakshapettu), Vasu Pradeep(Smarakam,Kannadi Kashanangal,Thazhum Thakkolum),Civic Chandran(Kurisu Yuddham Thudangunnavar,Ningal Aare Communist Akki), Jayaprakash Kuloor (Appunnikalude Radio,Nayattu,Velichenna), K. V. Sreeja (Ororo Kalathilum,Kalyana Saree), M. Sajita (Matsyagandhi,Beauty Parlour) and N. Sasidharan (Charitragatha,Udampadi Kalam(co-written with E. P. Rajagopalan),Kelu(co-written with E. P. Rajagopalan),Ravanan Kota) are some important playwrights of the later period.[13]

Theatre groups

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Kerala People's Arts Club(KPAC) is one of the most influential theatre groups in Kerala.

Manomohanam Company (Thiruvattar Narayana Pillai) and Rasikaranjini (Chambathil Chathukutty Mannadiyar) were famous theatre groups in Kerala during the early period of Malayalam drama.[11]Indian People's Theatre Association(IPTA) was formed in 1942 inBombayand was committed to the Indian independence movement. The association was linked with the communist movement and it influenced leftist theatrical productions in Kerala.[18]Malabar Kala Samithi was established inMalabarin 1948 to promote amateur drama. It later became Kendra Kala Samithi.Edasseri Govindan Nair,M. Govindan,V. T. BhattathiripadandUroobwere associated with this organisation. Kendra Kala Samithi became Kerala Kendra Kala Samithi in 1957 and closed down whenKerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademiwas established in 1958.[19]Influenced by the Indian People's Theatre Association, the progressive writers of Kerala linked with theCommunist Party of Indiafounded theKerala People's Arts Club(KPAC) in 1950. Its founders include G. Janardhana Kurup, N. Rajagopalan Nair, K. S. Rajamani, Poojappura Krishnan Nair,Kambisseri Karunakaran,Narayana Pillai andO. N. V. Kurup.Their first dramaEnte Makananu Sariwas not a success. KPAC screenedThoppil Bhasi'sNingalenne Communistakkiin 1952, was a path-breaking play in the history of Malayalam theatre.[20]

Navasamskara Samithi was formed inTrivandrumin 1950 with the aim of reforming Malayalam theatre. Its founders include N. Krishnapilla, P. K. Vikraman Nair,S. Guptan Nair,Ananda Kuttan andC. J. Thomas.The Samithi presented Krishna Pillai'sAnuranjanamandBhagnabhavanam,and C. J. Thomas'sAvan Veendum Varunnubut closed down soon afterward.[21]Kainikkara Padmanabha Pillai's Dramatic Bureau andC. N. Sreekantan Nair'sKalakeralawere also short-lived.[21]

In 1956, a theatre group called Kalavedi was formed with N. Krishna Pillai as president andC. N. Sreekantan Nairas Secretary. Most of the prominent figures in Malayalam drama have worked in connection with Kalavedi. Vikraman Nair,T. N. Gopinathan NairandAdoor Bhasiare some of them. Kalavedi presented dramas such asNashta Kachavadam,Kunhali Marakkar,Kanchana Sitaetc.[21]Nataka Kalariwas established byK. Ayyappa Panicker,G. Sankara PillaiandC. N. Sreekantan Nairand was instrumental in the growth of indigenous theatre in Kerala.[21]Other theatre groups include Brothers Music Club (Calicut–K. T. Muhammed), Navatarangam (Kottayam–G. Sankara Pillai), Pratibha Arts (Cochin-P. J. Antony), Sopanam Theatre (Trivandrum–Kavalam Narayana Panicker),Kalidasa Kalakendram(Kollam–O. Madhavan) and Kalanilayam (Trivandrum–Kalanilayam Krishnan Nair).[21]

Playwrights

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The following is a list of dramatists and playwrights in Malayalam.

Major works

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Some of the important plays in Malayalam drama include:[22][23]

Historical plays
Humorous plays and farces
Social plays
Political plays

References

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  1. ^George, K. M.(1968).A survey of Malayalam literature(1st ed.). Bombay: Asia Publishing House. p. 191.
  2. ^K. Ayyappa Panicker(1977).A Short History of Malayalam Literature.Trivandrum:Department of Information and Public Relations, Kerala. p. 76.
  3. ^George 1968,p. 190.
  4. ^abGeorge 1968,p. 191.
  5. ^Krishna Chaitanya (1971).A History of Malayalam Literature.New Delhi:Orient Longman.p. 351.ISBN9788125004882.
  6. ^Dr. V. S. Sharma;Vallathol Narayana Menon."തിരനോട്ടം".സംസ്കൃത നാടക തർജ്ജമകൾ(PDF)(in Malayalam). Vallathol Granthalayam. pp. 12–15.
  7. ^abcGeorge 1968,p. 192.
  8. ^abChaitanya 1971,p. 352.
  9. ^മലയാള ഭാഷ സാഹിത്യസംഗ്രഹം(PDF)(in Malayalam).Calicut:University of Calicut.2011a. p. 21.
  10. ^Dodderi Aswathanarayanarao Shankar (1999).Shakespeare in Indian Languages.Indian Institute of Advanced Study. p. 127.ISBN978-8-185-95265-9.Retrieved12 February2023.
  11. ^abcUniversity of Calicut 2011a,p. 21.
  12. ^Manju V. V. (2019). P. K. Babu (ed.)."Indianizing the Bard: A diachronic study of Shakespeare reception in India"(PDF).Singularities.1(2). Postgraduate Department of English, Unity Women's College,Manjeri:106–111.Retrieved12 February2023.
  13. ^abcdefghiUniversity of Calicut 2011a,p. 22.
  14. ^George 1968,p. 196.
  15. ^"The man who gave academic discipline for theatre".The Hindu.2 January 2016.Retrieved12 February2023.
  16. ^George 1968,p. 201.
  17. ^University of Calicut 2011b,p. 24.
  18. ^നാടകം(PDF)(in Malayalam).University of Calicut.2011b. p. 38.
  19. ^University of Calicut 2011b,p. 38.
  20. ^University of Calicut 2011b,p. 39.
  21. ^abcdeUniversity of Calicut 2011b,p. 40.
  22. ^George 1968,p. 193–201.
  23. ^University of Calicut 2011b,p. 37.

Further reading

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English
Malayalam
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