Kalanilyam Drama Vision
Encyclopedia
Kalanilayam Drama Vision is the largest permanent drama
institution/ venue in Asia
. It is one of the oldest drama group in India
,founded in 1963.
The Kalanilayam group was started by Krishnan Nair (commonly known as Kalanilayam Krishnan Nair) whose aim was to popularise popular fiction, fantasy
stories on stage. To that extent Kalanilayam was far different from other popular drama groups in Kerala
, like KPAC
- which focussed more on dramas of a social milieu. (Examples of KPAC include Mooladhanam and Ningalenne Communistakki
). Kalanilayam Krishnan Nair was also a newspaper editor (of Thaniniram) and also a publisher (chief editor and publisher of Kalanilayam publications)
Most of the Kalanilayam plays were written by ace playwright Jagathy NK Achari-, father of famous film comedian Jagathy Sreekumar
. During the Sixties to Seventies, Kalanilayam revolutionised Malayalam theatre with its dramas like Raktharakshass, Kayamkulam Kochunni
, Kadamattathu Kathanar
, Iravikkodu Pillai, Naradan Keralathil, Taj Mahal, Sree Guruvayoorappan and Alavudinum Athbhuthavilakkum.
Each Kalanilayam drama is preceded by the famous song “Sathkala Devithan Chitra Gopurangal…”
Actor V.T. Aravindaksha Menon won the National Award for best actor for his portrayal of Kayamkulam Kochunni. Jagathy Sreekumar, Poojappura Ravi
, C.I. Paul, Oduvil Unnikrishnan
, Vincent and Meena were other popular actors who donned the grease in various Kalanilayam productions.
After the death of Krishna Nair in 1980 Kalanilayam faded away. Save for some sporadic performances, nothing was heard of Kalanilayam for long. In 2003, Anathapadmanabhan, the youngest son of Kalanilayam Krishnan Nair and Jagathy Sreekumar (son of Jagathy NK Achari) relaunched Kalanilayam under the new name Kalanilayam Drama Vision. The early dramas were again represented for a new generation of audience and the same was heartily welcomed by the present generation.
A good number of audience have enjoyed the present drama Raktharakshas. Kalanilayam has started its work for a new drama which will be on stage next year.
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
institution/ venue in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
. It is one of the oldest drama group in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
,founded in 1963.
The Kalanilayam group was started by Krishnan Nair (commonly known as Kalanilayam Krishnan Nair) whose aim was to popularise popular fiction, fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
stories on stage. To that extent Kalanilayam was far different from other popular drama groups in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, like KPAC
Kerala People's Arts Club
Kerala People's Arts Club is a theatre movement in Kerala, India. It was formed in the 1950s by a group of individuals having close ties with Left-wing politics parties of Kerala. This political theatre was very influential in propagating communist ideas in Kerala.In 1951 KPAC staged its first...
- which focussed more on dramas of a social milieu. (Examples of KPAC include Mooladhanam and Ningalenne Communistakki
Ningalenne Communistakki
Ningalenne Communistakki is a Malayalam socio-political play by Kerala People's Arts Club . This was the second and most popular stage play of KPAC...
). Kalanilayam Krishnan Nair was also a newspaper editor (of Thaniniram) and also a publisher (chief editor and publisher of Kalanilayam publications)
Most of the Kalanilayam plays were written by ace playwright Jagathy NK Achari-, father of famous film comedian Jagathy Sreekumar
Jagathy Sreekumar
Sreekumar Achary, better known by his stage name Jagathy Sreekumar, is an Indian film actor who has performed in more than 1,000 Malayalam films. He has also directed two films and has written screenplays for two films...
. During the Sixties to Seventies, Kalanilayam revolutionised Malayalam theatre with its dramas like Raktharakshass, Kayamkulam Kochunni
Kayamkulam Kochunni
Kochunni was a famed Highwayman based in Kayamkulam, active in Central Travancore, India, in early 19th century. He is said to have stolen from the rich and given to the poor . He had his intimate friend Ithikkarappakki from Ithikkara village on the shore of Ithikkara River...
, Kadamattathu Kathanar
Kadamattathu Kathanar
Kadamattathu Kathanar also known as Kadamattathachan is a legendary priest who is believed to have possessed supernatural powers and whose legends are closely related to the beginning of the Kadamattom Church, one of the oldest church buildings that still exists in Kerala the land of Saint Thomas...
, Iravikkodu Pillai, Naradan Keralathil, Taj Mahal, Sree Guruvayoorappan and Alavudinum Athbhuthavilakkum.
Each Kalanilayam drama is preceded by the famous song “Sathkala Devithan Chitra Gopurangal…”
Actor V.T. Aravindaksha Menon won the National Award for best actor for his portrayal of Kayamkulam Kochunni. Jagathy Sreekumar, Poojappura Ravi
Poojappura Ravi
Poojappura Ravi is an Indian actor, primarily concentrating in Malayalam films doing comedy roles. He was a stage actor and was a part of Kalanilyam Drama Vision, the famous drama institution. He started doing Malayalam films in mid 70's. He has done many " black and white " movies produced in...
, C.I. Paul, Oduvil Unnikrishnan
Oduvil Unnikrishnan
Oduvil Unnikrishnan was an award winning Malayalam movie actor known for his versatile acting skills, known for his portrayal of classical ancient aristocratic personalities in Malayalam cinema with his unique provincial linguistic style, expressions and dialect. He was noted as a serious as well...
, Vincent and Meena were other popular actors who donned the grease in various Kalanilayam productions.
After the death of Krishna Nair in 1980 Kalanilayam faded away. Save for some sporadic performances, nothing was heard of Kalanilayam for long. In 2003, Anathapadmanabhan, the youngest son of Kalanilayam Krishnan Nair and Jagathy Sreekumar (son of Jagathy NK Achari) relaunched Kalanilayam under the new name Kalanilayam Drama Vision. The early dramas were again represented for a new generation of audience and the same was heartily welcomed by the present generation.
A good number of audience have enjoyed the present drama Raktharakshas. Kalanilayam has started its work for a new drama which will be on stage next year.