G. Sankara Pillai

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G. Sankara Pillai
G Sankara Pillai
G Sankara Pillai
Born(1930-06-22)June 22, 1930
Chirayinkeezhu, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
DiedJanuary 1, 1989(1989-01-01) (aged 58)
Kerala
OccupationPlaywright, literary critic
NationalityIndian
GenreTheatre, literary criticism
Notable works
  • Rail Palangal
  • Mrugathrushna
  • Snehadoothan
  • Malayala Nataka Sahithya Charitram
Notable awards
Parents
  • V. Gopala Pillai
  • Kamalakshi Amma

Gopala Pillai Sankara Pillai (June 22, 1930 – January 1, 1989), better known as G. Sankara Pillai, was an Indian playwright, literary critic, and director, known to be one of the pioneers of modern Malayalam theatre. A proponent of total theater, he was the founder of Nataka Kalari movement in Kerala and the chairman of the Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi. He was a recipient of a number of awards including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Drama in 1964 for the work Rail Palangal (Railway track) and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for the best playwright in 1979.

Biography[edit]

Mahatma Gandhi University - Entrance

Pillai was born on June 22, 1930, at Naluthattuvila in Chirayinkeezhu taluk in Thiruvananthapuram district of the south Indian state of Kerala to Ottaveettil V. Gopala Pillai and Muttaykkal Kamalakshi Amma.[1] After completing his schooling from Kollam, Chirayinkeezhu, Attingal and Thiruvananthapuram, He passed post-graduation from the Travencore university (Present day kerala university) in Malayalam literature with honours in 1952, securing the first rank. From 1953 to 1960 he worked in various colleges including Gandhigram rural institute in Madurai as a lecturer.  

After working in the lexicon office of the Kerala University from 1961 to 1964 . He was appointed as a professor in devaswam board college (Shasthamcotta) in 1967. Where he continued until 1977.

He joined the University of Kerala for research on the folk music tradition of Kerala in 1954.[2] In 1957, he moved to Madurai to take up the position as a teacher at the Gandhigram Rural Institute and stayed there until his move to the Lexicon Office in 1961.[2]

Three years later, Pillai returned to academics when Dewaswom Board College, Sasthamcotta was established in 1964 by joining the institution as a faculty.

He was a member of board of studies and fine arts faculty in Kerala university, Calicut university, Gandhigram and Tanjaore university. Was also a member of the curriculum development committee constituted by UGC for fine arts.

Later, he became the founder director of the School of Drama and Fine Arts of the University of Calicut when the school was established in 1977.[3] The Mahatma Gandhi University established the School of Letters, an interdisciplinary centre of literary studies and research, in 1988 and U. R. Ananthamurthy, noted Kannada writer and the then vice chancellor of the university invited Pillai to head the institution.[4] He was holding the position while he died in harness on the New Year's Day of 1989, at the age of 58.[1] He remained a bachelor throughout his life.[2]

Legacy[edit]

Pillai was one of pioneers of modern Malayalam theatre and an advocate of total theater,[5] he helped introduce a system and academic discipline to it.[6][7][8] One of his main contributions was in the initiation of the Nataka Kalari Movement in Kerala in 1967, along with C. N. Sreekantan Nair, M. Govindan, M. V. Devan, K. S. Narayana Pillai and K. Ayyappa Paniker,[9] which nurtured several theatre practitioners such as Vayala Vasudevan Pillai[10] and helped revive a number of earlier dramas such as Avan Veendum Varunnu of C. J. Thomas in a new form.[11] The movement staged weekly plays in Kochi and introduced courses n theatre which was later taken up by a playhouse movement, Vaikkom Thirunal Natakavedi, based in Vaikkom.[12] It was this movement which influenced the establishment of the School of Drama and Fine Arts of the University of Calicut in 1977[citation needed] where he served as the founder director.[3] He was also the founder director of the School of Letters of Mahatma Gandhi University and he chaired the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi,[13] served as a member of the executive council of the National School of Drama and sat in the advisory board of the University Grants Commission of India.[14]

Pillai visited Russia in 1977 as part of a cultural delegation send by government of India. Again visited Tashkent as part of Indian Sangeetha Nataka academy contingent as part of the festival of India. Visited United Kingdom in 1986-87 as part of on a British council invitation and in 1987–88, in connection with a joint play production project  and co-directed a play in London named ‘The exile in the forest’

Pillai's first work was a one-act play titled Snehadoothan (Messenger of Love), published in 1953.[2] This was followed by 43 plays and 11 books of essay compilations.[15] Vivaham Swargathil Nadakkunnu (1958) (Marriages happen in heaven), Bharatha Vakyam,[16] Kiratham, Thirumbi Vandan Thambi (The brother who returned), Raksha Purushan (The rescuer), Bandi (The hostage), Sharashayanam (Bed of arrows), Poymukhangal (Masked faces),Kauzhukanmar (The eagles), Vilangum Veenayum, Peipidicha lokam (The world gone mad), Dharmakshetre Kurukshetre, Olapambu (Fake Snake), Pushpakireedam (Floral Crown), Nizhal (The Shadow), Gurudakshina (Offering to the Master), Nidhiyum Neethiyum (Treasure and Justice), Maddalangal (Drums), Rail Palangal (Rail Tracks), Ponnumkudam (Golden Pot), Chithra Salabhangal (Butterflies), Thamara (Lotus) and Orukoottam Urumbukal (A Group of Ants) are some of his major plays[2][17] while The Theater of the Earth is Never Dead,[18] Selected essays of G. Sankara Pillai,[19] Ibsante Nataka Sankalpam, Njan Kanda Delhi (The Delhi I saw), Bertolt Brecht,  Nataka Paramparyangal (Drama and heritage), Samvidhayaka Sankalpam (The concept of a director), C. V. yude Hasya Sankalpam (C. V.’s Concept of Humour), Malayala Nataka Sahithya Charitram (The history of Malayalam Drama) and G. Sankara Pillayude Lekhanangal (Collection of articles by G. Sankara Pillai) are some of his works of prose.[15] of which Malayala Nataka Sahithya Charitram is considered as an authentic work on the history of Malayalam theatre.[2] "Sankara Pillai's efforts rendered the stage and theatre actors a dignity that was lacking until then", said Sajitha Madathil, on the occasion of the 25th death anniversary of Sankara Pillai.

Pillai at the first theatre workshop for children at Rangaprabhath in 1980. Dr N Radhakrishnan of Gandhi Smrithi Darshan Samithi also can be seen.

Awards and honours[edit]

Sakara Pillai received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1964 for play-writing;[20][21] the same year as the Kerala Sahitya Akademi honoured him with their annual award for drama for his work, Rail Palangal.[22] Three years later, he was selected for the 1967 Sahitya Pravartaka Sahakarana Sanghom Award.[14] In 1986, he received the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship.[23] He was also a recipient of the All India Critics Award and the Nandikar National Award.[13] His biography has been included in two Oxford University Press publications, The Oxford Companion to Theatre and Performance[24] and The Oxford Encyclopedia of Theatre and Performance.[25]

Selected bibliography[edit]

Plays[edit]

  • G. Sankara Pillai (2008). Plavilathoppikal. KSICL. ISBN 978-8184940152.
  • G. Sankara Pillai (2008). Orma Kondu Thurakkavunna Vathil. Penguin India. ISBN 978-0143063841.
  • G. Sankara Pillai (2008). Sainikante Premalekhanam. DC Books. ISBN 978-8126443109.
  • Sankara Pillai, G. Asthanaviddikal. Calicut: Poorna.
  • Sankarapillai, G. (1978). Sapthami. Kottayam: S.P.C.S.[permanent dead link]
  • Sankara Pillai, G.; Tharakan, K. M; Tr (1981). Bharatha Vakyam. Trichur, Kerala Sahitya Akademi.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G; Author (1985). Sarvvam saha: Malayala naatakam. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G; Author (1984). Raappakshikal athavaa Bhagavathipuram theevandi stationil enthu sambhavichu: Malayala naatakam. Kottayam, D C Books. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G; Author (1986). Moodhevi theyyam: Malayala naatakam. Kottayam, Sahitya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society Ltd. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G; Author (1989). Krishnapaksham: Malayala naatakam. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G; Author (1990). Kaserakali: Malayala naatakam. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G; Author (1980). Idaan maranna izha: Malayala naatakam. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G; Author (1989). G Sankara Pillayude ekaankangal. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G; Author (1989). Ekaaki. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G; Author (1968). Dharmakshethre kurukshethre. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G; Author (1986). Anchu ekaankangal. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G; Author (1981). Thaavalam: Malayala naatakam. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G; Author (1990). Snehadoothan: Malayala naatakam. Kottayam, National Book Stall. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G; Author (1963). Sarasayanam: Malayala naatakam. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G; Author (1990). Sabarmathi dooreyaanu: Malayala naatakam. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G. (1986). Moodhevitheyyam (in Malayalam). Kottayam, N B S.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G. (1975). Thirumpivanthaan thampi (in Malayalam). Kottayam, N B S.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G. (1985). Andanum atakotanum (in Malayalam). KOttayam, D C Books.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G. (1980). Karutha daivathe thedi (in Malayalam). Kottayam, D C Books.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

Essays[edit]

Translation[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "G. Sankara Pillai - Veethi profile". veethi.com. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal". Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  3. ^ a b "A warm welcome to Department of Drama and Fine Arts". University of Calicut. 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  4. ^ "MGU School of Letters". MG University. 26 April 2019. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  5. ^ "Pillai G., Shankara (1930—1989)". The Oxford Companion to Theatre and Performance. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  6. ^ "The man who gave academic discipline for theatre". The Hindu. 2 January 2016. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  7. ^ "G. Sankara Pillai's role in giving academic status to theatre hailed". The Hindu. 27 April 2011. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  8. ^ "Modernist Malayalam Theatre - Drama Literature". www.keralaculture.org. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  9. ^ "Bitten by the theatre bug". The Hindu. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  10. ^ "Entertainment Thiruvananthapuram / Personality : Theatre, his forte". The Hindu. 8 April 2005. Retrieved 26 April 2019.[dead link]
  11. ^ N, Smitha (14 December 2017). "Renowned Nataka Kalari celebrates golden jubilee". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  12. ^ "Celebrating 50 years of amateur theatre movement". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  13. ^ a b Kapila Vatsyayan (1991). Concepts of Space, Ancient and Modern. Abhinav Publications. pp. 645–. ISBN 978-81-7017-252-9.
  14. ^ a b "G. Shankara Pillai - SNA profile". sangeetnatak.gov.in. 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  15. ^ a b "Books of G Sankara Pillai". keralasahityaakademi.org. 1 December 2018.
  16. ^ G, Sankara Pillai (1981). Bharatha Vkyam. Trichur: Kerala Sahitya Akademi.
  17. ^ A, Datta; M Lal (1987). Encyclopaedia of indian literature. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi.
  18. ^ Pillai, G Sankara (1986). The theater of the earth is never dead. Trichur: School of drama.
  19. ^ N, Radhakrishnan; Sankarapilla (1997). Selected essays of G. Sankara Pillai. New Delhi: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
  20. ^ "Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar (Akademi Awards)". 31 March 2016. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  21. ^ Fellows and Award-winners of Sangeet Natak Akademi 1952-2010. Sangeet Natak Akademi. 2011.
  22. ^ "Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Drama". Kerala Sahitya Akademi. 26 April 2019. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  23. ^ "Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship: Drama". Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  24. ^ "Pillai G., Shankara". Pillai G., Shankara in Oxford Companion to Theatre and Performance. Oxford University Press. 1 January 2010. doi:10.1093/acref/9780199574193.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-19-957419-3. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  25. ^ George, Jose (1 January 2005). "Pillai G., Shankara". Pillai G., Shankara in Oxford Encyclopedia. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acref/9780198601746.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-19-860174-6. Retrieved 26 April 2019.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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