Kavalam Narayana Panicker Biography 
Kavalam Narayana Panicker is a very popular poet and writer of Malayalam literature. He is popular for his theatre work as a director and dramatist too. He has written over 26 Malayalam plays, many adapted from classical Sanskrit drama and Shakespeare. His most popular translation works include - Madhyamavyayogam (1979), Vikramorvasiyam (1981, 1996), Shakuntalam (1982), Karnabharam (1984, 2001), Uru Bhangam (1988), Swapnavasavadattam and Dootavakyam (1996). He is the founder-director of theatre troupe, Sopanam which was later renamed as 'Bhashabharati: Centre for Performing Arts, Training and Research’, located in the capital city of Kerala. He was awarded Sangeet Natak Academy Award in Direction in the year 1983 by Sangeet Natak Academy. For his lifetime achievement to the field of drama and music, India's National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, gave him the Sangeet Natak Academy Fellowship in 2002. He has also directed two movies related to Kerala folk dances, art and culture - Mani Madhava Chakyar: The Master at Work (1994) and Parvati Viraham (1993) in Kuttiyattam, playing homage to great artists of Kuttitattam.
Kavalam Narayana Panicker was born in Kavalam of Kuttanad, Alappuzha. He is a nephew of Sardar Kavalam Madhava Panikkar and a cousin of Malayalam poet, Dr. K. Ayyappa Panicker. He studied in CMS College Kottayam and later did economics in S D College, Alappuzha. From Madras Law College, he completed Bachelor of Law degree too.
He started his career as a lawyer in 1955 and practised as a lawyer for 6 years. But later he stopped practising and dedicated his full time in writing. In 1961 he was nominated as Secretary of Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy, Thrissur and he shifted to Thrissur. In 1974, he shifted to capital city. G.Aravindam made his play, Avanavam kadamba, a movie.
As a lyricist, Kavalam Narayana Panicker has worked for a few Malayalam movies as well. National award winning Manjadikuru is one such movie. Other movies are Ulsava pittennu, Marmaram and Vadakaikkoru hridayam. He has won Kerala state awards for best lyricist twice – Marmaram and vadakaikkoru hridayam. Now he lives in the capital city Thiruvananthapuram with his wife Saradamani. His younger son Kavalam Sreekumar is a famous singer.
Published: N/A
Updated: July 10, 2016
