
VEENDUM BHAGAVANTE MARANAM
Director: Hazim Amaravila
Playwright: K R Meera
Group: Kanal Samskarika Vedhi, Thiruvananthapura
Language: Malayalam
Duration: 1 hr 40 mins
The Play
The play depicts the problems that arise when a theatre group attempts to dramatize this story written by K. R. Meera as a reaction to the assassination of the renowned writer Kalburgi. In this story, the character Prof. Bhagavan is killed by religious extremists, for his progressive thinking and open speeches. Director and script writer Hazim Amaravila has taken portions of Meera’s story to highlight the violence committed upon people who speak against the ills prevailing in the society. The play and the metaplay showcase the oppressive tactics of the ruling system, whether it is the state or the centre, religion or caste.
Director’s Note
It is my belief that Art should be contemporary, and should be able to contribute something better to the existing life conditions and thoughts. Only then will it be able to situate itself in the society as the harbinger of change, and also remain perennially modern, else it will be washed away into oblivion by the tides of change. When theatre becomes revolutionary and contemporary, we find ourselves unable to compromise with things around us. We feel the need to wage a relentless and ruthless war against the existing structures of power, religion and politics as well as the prevalent class consciousness. Veendum Bhagavante Maranam is an introspective and self-critical play. It sets a platform whereupon a person can look into his own self and discover for himself where he stands as a human being, removed from all religious, caste-ist and political thoughts and considerations.
The Director
Hazim Amaravila is a trained actor, director, sound editor and a research scholar in theatre arts. He is M. A. in Journalism and Mass Communication, and M. Phil in Theatre Arts and Film Aesthetics under the guidance of Dr. Vayala Vasudevan Pillai. He has participated in about hundred theatre productions all over India including National and International Festivals, and has received many awards. He is an Assistant Professor in Performing Arts at Kerala University College of Teacher Education, Kollam. He is the member secretary of Kanal Samskarika Vedhi. Veendum Bhagavante Maranam is his third major production.
The Playwright
K.R. Meera is an Indian author, who writes in Malayalam. She has published five collections of short stories, two novellas, five novels and two children’s book. Her novel Aarachaar is widely regarded as one of the best literary works produced in Malayalam. It received several awards including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Odakkuzhal Award, Vayalar Award and Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award. The short story Bhagvante Maranam was published in 2015.
The Group
Kanal Samskarika Vedhi is a cultural organization formed by the alumni of the Centre for Performing and Visual Arts, to promote the cultural and artistic talents of youth and interested people. The organization has been working in Kerala for the last ten years and was patronized by late Dr. Vayala Vasudevan Pillai. Every year the organization awards Dr. Vayala Vasudevan Pillai Kanal Puraskaram to the eminent theatre personalities of Kerala. It also facilitates a number of theatre workshops and theatre performances all over Kerala. Kanal Pusthakashala published India’s first Theatre Calendar in 2018, which marked the life of veteran theatre personalities and important theatre related dates.
Cast & Credits
Kaveri/Chinchu Chinchu K. Bhavani
Kannamma/Reshma Reshma
Shilpa Shilpa Mohan
Bhagavan/Arun Arun Nayar
Director Santhosh Venjaramood
Amara/Kannan Kannan Nayar
Stage Manager Reju Koliyakkode
Mallappa/ Prem Premjith Sureshbabu
A.C.P. (Police) Viju Varma
Christty/Shishyan Amal Krishna
Light & Music
Operator Sreenath Sreekumar
Akhil/Shishyan Akhil Mohankumar
Shahidh/Shishyan Arjun Gopal
Police S.I. Nevil S.B.
Police Constables Kailash S Bhavan, Sanal Kumar,
Vinesh Viswanath, Sajeer, Jayadev Ravi
Theatre Owner Anandh Manmadhan
Creative Contribution Anuj Ramachandran
Technical Head Sreekanth Cameo
Light Design Sujith Soorya
Set & Props Pavi Sankar, Premjith Sureshbabu, Ravi Sankar, Jijo Soman
Make-up Vinod
Title Design Dileep Daz
Promo Suraj Attingal
Subtitles Jyothsna
T.V. Stage Manager Kulakkada Prasannan
Story K.R. Meera
Script & Direction Hazim Amaravila