Noted Malayalam theatre doyen Kavalam Narayana Panicker passed away

Veteran Malayalam theatre artist and poet Kavalam Narayana Panicker passed away on 26 June 2016 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He was 88.

•    Born on 28 April 1928, Panicker attended CMS College in Kottayam.
•    He obtained a degree in Economics from S D College, Alappuzha and later a Bachelor of Law degree from Madras Law College.
•    He started his career as a lawyer in 1955.
•    In 1961, he was nominated as Secretary of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi.
•    He has written over 26 Malayalam plays, many adapted from classical Sanskrit drama and Shakespeare.
•    In 1993, Erin B. Mee directed his play Ottayan in New York City.
•    His notable works are Madhyamavyayogam, Kalidasa's Vikramorvasiyam, Shakuntalam, Karnabharam, Bhasa's Uru Bhangam, Swapnavasavadattam and Dootavakyam.
•    He also directed two movies, Mani Madhava Chakyar: The Master at Work, and Parvati Viraham in Kuttiyattam form. Kuttiyattam is a form of Sanskrit theatre.
•    In 1983, he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in Direction.
•    In 2002, he was honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship.
•    He was awarded with the Padma Bhushan in 2007.