02-08-2025
Malayalam literary festival in Chennai on August 10
Aasrayam, which has an active cultural presence among Malayalees in Chennai, is holding the Kavalam Narayana Panicker Literary Festival on August 10, 2025, at Vivekananda House Campus, opposite Marina Beach.
The highlight of the literary festival will be the conferring of the annual literary award for 2025 on renowned playwright and poet Karivellur Murali. Actress and theatre activist Rohini will present the award to the playwright-poet at the inaugural ceremony of the literary festival, says a press release.
The literary festival will feature a day-long lecture series focusing on the literary legacy of Kavalam Narayana Panicker. Topics include 'Malayalam Theatre Movement and Kavalam Narayana Panicker' and 'Malayalam Drama: Changing Imageries', with talks by Raja Warrier (theatre practitioner) and V. Hikmathulla (faculty, Unity Women's College, Manjeri). Other speakers and participants include P.M. Girish, Shyamala Jayaprakash, Dr. C.G. Rajendrababu, and A.V. Anoop.
The event will also feature four micro plays presented by Chennai-based theatre groups led by Abhilash Parameswaran, Jophin Manimala, Gireesh Karamael, and Sreeranjini.
Additional attractions include a photo exhibition, a musical tribute (Gaananjali) with select songs of Kavalam , Nattilekkoru Vandi youth group will present an anti-drug awareness programme promoting the message 'Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Knowledge'.
A massive contribution
With over fifty plays to his credit, the award recognises his lifelong contribution to Malayalam theatre. A multifaceted personality — actor, playwright, director, lyricist and public speaker — he currently serves as the Secretary of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy. His acclaimed plays include Che Guevara, Abubakkarinte Umma Parayunnu, Kuruthippadam, and Agrayaanam, among over 60 notable works. He is a recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award, says the press release.
A jury consisting of literary critic and orator P.K. Rajasekharan, former Doordarshan Director Baiju Chandran, Bindu Venugopal, K.D. Santhosh Kumar, P.A. Suresh Kumar, and P.K. Ramachandran selected him for the award. The award includes a cash prize of ₹25,000, a sculpture designed by Joshi Perambra, and a citation.
