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| caption      = G Sankara Pillai
| caption      = G Sankara Pillai
| pseudonym    =  
| pseudonym    =  
| birth_date  = {{birth date|1930|6|22}}
| birth_date  = {{birth date|df=y|1930|6|22}}
| birth_place  = [[Chirayinkeezhu, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala]], India
| birth_place  = [[Chirayinkeezhu, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala]], India
| death_date  = {{death date and age|1989|1|1|1930|6|22}}
| death_date  = {{death date and age|df=y|1989|1|1|1930|6|22}}
| death_place  = Kerala
| death_place  = Kerala
| occupation  = [[Playwright]], literary critic
| occupation  = [[Playwright]], literary critic
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| genre        = Theatre, literary criticism
| genre        = Theatre, literary criticism
| subject      =  
| subject      =  
| parents      = {{ubl|V. Gopala Pillai|Kamalakshi Amma}}
| parents      =  
| movement    =  
| movement    =  
| notableworks = {{ubl|''Rail Palangal''|''Mrugathrushna''|''Snehadoothan''|''Malayala Nataka Sahithya Charitram''}}
| notableworks = {{ubl|''Rail Palangal''|''Mrugathrushna''|''Snehadoothan''|''Malayala Nataka Sahithya Charitram''}}
| influences  =  
| influences  =  
| influenced  =  
| influenced  =  
| awards      = {{ubl|1964 [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]]|1964 [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Drama]]|1967 Sahitya Pravartaka Sahakarana Sanghom Award|All India Critics Award|Nandikar National Award| Nehru Fellow (1985-1987)| Bombay Keraleeya Samaj Award| Sahithya Parishat Award| All India Radio Best Play Wright Award}}
| awards      = {{ubl|1964 [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]]|1964 [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Drama]]|1967 Sahitya Pravartaka Sahakarana Sanghom Award|All India Critics Award|Nandikar National Award| Nehru Fellow (1985–1987)| Bombay Keraleeya Samaj Award| Sahithya Parishat Award| All India Radio Best Play Wright Award}}
| signature    =  
| signature    =  
| website      =  
| website      =  
}}
}}
'''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 [[Physical theatre#Modern physical theatre|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.
'''Gopala Pillai Sankara Pillai''' (22 June 1930 – 1 January 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 [[Physical theatre#Modern physical theatre|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==
==Biography==
[[File:Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam Entrance.JPG|thumb|Mahatma Gandhi University - Entrance]]
[[File:Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam Entrance.JPG|thumb|Mahatma Gandhi University - Entrance]]
Pillai was born on June 22, 1930 at Naluthattuvila in [[Chirayinkeezhu|Chirayinkeezhu taluk]] in [[Thiruvananthapuram district]] of the south Indian state of [[Kerala]] to Ottaveettil V. Gopala Pillai and Muttaykkal Kamalakshi Amma.<ref name="G. Sankara Pillai - Veethi profile">{{Cite web |url=https://www.veethi.com/india-people/g._sankara_pillai-profile-4635-42.htm |title=G. Sankara Pillai - Veethi profile |date=2019-04-25 |website=veethi.com |access-date=2018-11-30}}</ref> 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 degree|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.  
Pillai was born on 22 June 1930, at Naluthattuvila in [[Chirayinkeezhu|Chirayinkeezhu taluk]] in [[Thiruvananthapuram district]] of the south Indian state of [[Kerala]] to Ottaveettil V. Gopala Pillai and Muttaykkal Kamalakshi Amma.<ref name="G. Sankara Pillai - Veethi profile">{{Cite web |url=https://www.veethi.com/india-people/g._sankara_pillai-profile-4635-42.htm |title=G. Sankara Pillai - Veethi profile |date=2019-04-25 |website=veethi.com |access-date=2018-11-30}}</ref> 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 degree|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.
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.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Profiles/GSANKARAPILLAI/Html/GSPillaigraphy.htm |title=Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal |date=2019-04-25 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal |access-date=2019-04-25}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" />
He joined the [[University of Kerala]] for research on the folk music tradition of Kerala in 1954.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Profiles/GSANKARAPILLAI/Html/GSPillaigraphy.htm |title=Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal |date=2019-04-25 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal |access-date=2019-04-25}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" />
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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.
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.<ref name="A warm welcome to Department of Drama and Fine Arts">{{Cite web |url=https://drama.uoc.ac.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30&Itemid=191 |title=A warm welcome to Department of Drama and Fine Arts |date=2019-04-26 |website=University of Calicut |access-date=2019-04-26}}</ref> The [[Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala|Mahatma Gandhi University]] established the [[Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala#Schools and departments|School of Letters]], an interdisciplinary centre of literary studies and research, in 1988 and [[U. R. Ananthamurthy]], noted [[Kannada literature|Kannada]] writer and the then vice chancellor of the university invited Pillai to head the institution.<ref name="MGU School of Letters">{{Cite web |url=https://www.mgu.ac.in/academics/schools/school-of-letters/ |title=MGU School of Letters |date=2019-04-26 |website=MG University |language=en |access-date=2019-04-26}}</ref> He was holding the position while he died in harness on the [[New Year's Day]] of 1989, at the age of 59.<ref name="G. Sankara Pillai - Veethi profile" /> He remained a bachelor throughout his life.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" />
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.<ref name="A warm welcome to Department of Drama and Fine Arts">{{Cite web |url=https://drama.uoc.ac.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30&Itemid=191 |title=A warm welcome to Department of Drama and Fine Arts |date=2019-04-26 |website=University of Calicut |access-date=2019-04-26}}</ref> The [[Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala|Mahatma Gandhi University]] established the [[Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala#Schools and Departments|School of Letters]], an interdisciplinary centre of literary studies and research, in 1988 and [[U. R. Ananthamurthy]], noted [[Kannada literature|Kannada]] writer and the then vice chancellor of the university invited Pillai to head the institution.<ref name="MGU School of Letters">{{Cite web |url=https://www.mgu.ac.in/academics/schools/school-of-letters/ |title=MGU School of Letters |date=2019-04-26 |website=MG University |language=en |access-date=2019-04-26 |archive-date=26 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426090328/https://www.mgu.ac.in/academics/schools/school-of-letters/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was holding the position while he died in harness on the [[New Year's Day]] of 1989, at the age of 58.<ref name="G. Sankara Pillai - Veethi profile" /> He remained a bachelor throughout his life.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" />
 
Sankarapillai showcased his acting prowess in Adoor Gopalakrishnan's much-acclaimed movie 'Swayamvaram' (One's Own Choice)<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pillai |first=G. Sankara |title=Selected Essays of G. Sankara Pillai |date=1997 |publisher=Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Swayamvaram (1972 film) |date=2024-12-27 |work=Bharatpedia |url=https://en.Bharatpedia.org/wiki/Swayamvaram_(1972_film) |access-date=2025-01-03 |language=en}}</ref> and in another movie produced by Madhu, 'Sathi', which was loosely based on Shankarapillai's drama called 'Poojaamuri' (Prayer Room).


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==
Pillai was one of pioneers of modern Malayalam theatre and an advocate of [[Physical theatre#Modern physical theatre|total theater]],<ref name="Pillai G., Shankara (1930—1989)">{{Cite web |url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100327361 |title=Pillai G., Shankara (1930—1989) |date=2019-04-25 |website=The Oxford Companion to Theatre and Performance |access-date=2019-04-25}}</ref> he helped introduce a system and academic discipline to it.<ref name="The man who gave academic discipline for theatre">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/The-man-who-gave-academic-discipline-for-theatre/article13975854.ece |title=The man who gave academic discipline for theatre |date=2016-01-02 |work=The Hindu |access-date=2018-12-01 |others=Special Correspondent |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name="G. Sankara Pillai's role in giving academic status to theatre hailed">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/G.-Sankara-Pillais-role-in-giving-academic-status-to-theatre-hailed/article14698474.ece |title=G. Sankara Pillai's role in giving academic status to theatre hailed |date=2011-04-27 |work=The Hindu |access-date=2018-12-01 |others=Special Correspondent |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name="Modernist Malayalam Theatre - Drama Literature">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralaculture.org/modern-drama-theatre/281 |title=Modernist Malayalam Theatre - Drama Literature |date=2019-04-25 |website=www.keralaculture.org |language=en |access-date=2019-04-25}}</ref> 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]],<ref name="Bitten by the theatre bug">{{Cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/bitten-by-the-theatre-bug/article21884624.ece |title=Bitten by the theatre bug |date=2017-12-19 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |access-date=2019-04-26}}</ref> which nurtured several theatre practitioners such as [[Vayala Vasudevan Pillai]]<ref name="The Hindu : Entertainment Thiruvananthapuram / Personality : Theatre, his forte">{{Cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/fr/2005/04/08/stories/2005040801870200.htm |website=[[The Hindu]] |title=Entertainment Thiruvananthapuram / Personality : Theatre, his forte |date=2005-04-08 |access-date=2019-04-26}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and helped revive a number of earlier dramas such as ''Avan Veendum Varunnu'' of [[C. J. Thomas]] in a new form.<ref name="Renowned Nataka Kalari celebrates golden jubilee">{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/141217/renowned-nataka-kalari-celebrates-golden-jubilee.html |title=Renowned Nataka Kalari celebrates golden jubilee |last=N |first=Smitha |date=2017-12-14 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en |access-date=2019-04-26}}</ref> The movement staged weekly plays in [[Kochi]] and introduced courses n theatre which was later taken up by a [[Playhouse Theatre|playhouse]] movement, ''Vaikkom Thirunal Natakavedi'', based in [[Vaikkom]].<ref name="Celebrating 50 years of amateur theatre movement">{{Cite web |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2017/dec/17/celebrating-50-years-of-amateur-theatre-movement-1729905.html |title=Celebrating 50 years of amateur theatre movement |website=The New Indian Express |access-date=2019-04-26}}</ref> It was this movement which influenced the establishment of the [[School of Drama and Fine Arts]] of the [[University of Calicut]] in 1977{{cn|date=July 2021}} where he served as the founder director.<ref name="A warm welcome to Department of Drama and Fine Arts" /> He was also the founder director of the School of Letters of [[Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala|Mahatma Gandhi University]] and he chaired the [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi]],<ref name="Vatsyayan1991">{{cite book|author=Kapila Vatsyayan|title=Concepts of Space, Ancient and Modern|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X1a7XZdH1V0C&pg=PA645|year=1991|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-81-7017-252-9|pages=645–}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="G. Shankara Pillai - SNA profile">{{Cite web |url=http://sangeetnatak.gov.in/sna/citation_popup.php?id=1077&at=2 |title=G. Shankara Pillai - SNA profile |date=2019-04-26 |website=sangeetnatak.gov.in |access-date=2019-04-26}}</ref>
Pillai was one of pioneers of modern Malayalam theatre and an advocate of [[Physical theatre#Modern physical theatre|total theater]],<ref name="Pillai G., Shankara (1930—1989)">{{Cite web |url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100327361 |title=Pillai G., Shankara (1930—1989) |date=2019-04-25 |website=The Oxford Companion to Theatre and Performance |access-date=2019-04-25}}</ref> he helped introduce a system and academic discipline to it.<ref name="The man who gave academic discipline for theatre">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/The-man-who-gave-academic-discipline-for-theatre/article13975854.ece |title=The man who gave academic discipline for theatre |date=2016-01-02 |work=The Hindu |access-date=2018-12-01 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name="G. Sankara Pillai's role in giving academic status to theatre hailed">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/G.-Sankara-Pillais-role-in-giving-academic-status-to-theatre-hailed/article14698474.ece |title=G. Sankara Pillai's role in giving academic status to theatre hailed |date=2011-04-27 |work=The Hindu |access-date=2018-12-01 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name="Modernist Malayalam Theatre - Drama Literature">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralaculture.org/modern-drama-theatre/281 |title=Modernist Malayalam Theatre - Drama Literature |date=2019-04-25 |website=www.keralaculture.org |language=en |access-date=2019-04-25}}</ref> 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]],<ref name="Bitten by the theatre bug">{{Cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/bitten-by-the-theatre-bug/article21884624.ece |title=Bitten by the theatre bug |date=2017-12-19 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |access-date=2019-04-26}}</ref> which nurtured several theatre practitioners such as [[Vayala Vasudevan Pillai]]<ref name="The Hindu : Entertainment Thiruvananthapuram / Personality : Theatre, his forte">{{Cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/fr/2005/04/08/stories/2005040801870200.htm |website=[[The Hindu]] |title=Entertainment Thiruvananthapuram / Personality : Theatre, his forte |date=2005-04-08 |access-date=2019-04-26}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and helped revive a number of earlier dramas such as ''Avan Veendum Varunnu'' of [[C. J. Thomas]] in a new form.<ref name="Renowned Nataka Kalari celebrates golden jubilee">{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/141217/renowned-nataka-kalari-celebrates-golden-jubilee.html |title=Renowned Nataka Kalari celebrates golden jubilee |last=N |first=Smitha |date=2017-12-14 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en |access-date=2019-04-26}}</ref> The movement staged weekly plays in [[Kochi]] and introduced courses n theatre which was later taken up by a [[Playhouse Theatre|playhouse]] movement, ''Vaikkom Thirunal Natakavedi'', based in [[Vaikkom]].<ref name="Celebrating 50 years of amateur theatre movement">{{Cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2017/dec/17/celebrating-50-years-of-amateur-theatre-movement-1729905.html |title=Celebrating 50 years of amateur theatre movement |website=The New Indian Express |date=18 December 2017 |access-date=2019-04-26}}</ref> 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|date=July 2021}} where he served as the founder director.<ref name="A warm welcome to Department of Drama and Fine Arts" /> He was also the founder director of the School of Letters of [[Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala|Mahatma Gandhi University]] and he chaired the [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi]],<ref name="Vatsyayan1991">{{cite book|author=Kapila Vatsyayan|title=Concepts of Space, Ancient and Modern|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X1a7XZdH1V0C&pg=PA645|year=1991|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-81-7017-252-9|pages=645–}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="G. Shankara Pillai - SNA profile">{{Cite web |url=http://sangeetnatak.gov.in/sna/citation_popup.php?id=1077&at=2 |title=G. Shankara Pillai - SNA profile |date=2019-04-26 |website=sangeetnatak.gov.in |access-date=2019-04-26}}</ref>


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 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.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" /> This was followed by 43 plays and 11 books of essay compilations.<ref name="Books of G Sankara Pillai">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Profiles/GSANKARAPILLAI/Html/GSPillaiBooks.htm |title=Books of G Sankara Pillai |date=December 1, 2018 |website=keralasahityaakademi.org}}</ref> ''Vivaham Swargathil Nadakkunnu'' (1958) (Marriages happen in heaven), ''Bharatha Vakyam'',<ref name="Bharatha Vkyam">{{Cite book |title=Bharatha Vkyam |last=G |first=Sankara Pillai |publisher=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |year=1981 |location=Trichur}}</ref>'' 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<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" /><ref name="Encyclopaedia of indian literature.">{{Cite book |title=Encyclopaedia of indian literature. |last=A |first=Datta |last2=M Lal |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |year=1987 |location=New Delhi}}</ref> while ''The Theater of the Earth is Never Dead'',<ref name="The theater of the earth is never dead">{{Cite book |title=The theater of the earth is never dead |last=Pillai |first=G Sankara |publisher=School of drama |year=1986 |location=Trichur}}</ref> ''Selected essays of G. Sankara Pillai'',<ref name="Selected essays of G. Sankara Pillai">{{Cite book |title=Selected essays of G. Sankara Pillai |last=N |first=Radhakrishnan |last2=Sankarapilla |publisher=Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts |year=1997 |location=New Delhi}}</ref> ''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.<ref name="Books of G Sankara Pillai" /> of which ''Malayala Nataka Sahithya Charitram'' is considered as an authentic work on the history of Malayalam theatre.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" /> "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.[[File:Gsankara.jpg|thumb|Pillai at the first theatre workshop for children at Rangaprabhath in 1980. Dr N Radhakrishnan of Gandhi Smrithi Darshan Samithi also can be seen.]]
Pillai's first work was a one-act play titled ''Snehadoothan'' (Messenger of Love), published in 1956.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" /> This was followed by 43 plays and 11 books of essay compilations.<ref name="Books of G Sankara Pillai">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Profiles/GSANKARAPILLAI/Html/GSPillaiBooks.htm |title=Books of G Sankara Pillai |date=December 1, 2018 |website=keralasahityaakademi.org}}</ref> ''Vivaham Swargathil Nadakkunnu'' (1958) (Marriages happen in heaven), ''Bharatha Vakyam'',<ref name="Bharatha Vkyam">{{Cite book |title=Bharatha Vkyam |last=G |first=Sankara Pillai |publisher=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |year=1981 |location=Trichur}}</ref>'' 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<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" /><ref name="Encyclopaedia of indian literature.">{{Cite book |title=Encyclopaedia of indian literature. |last1=A |first1=Datta |last2=M Lal |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |year=1987 |location=New Delhi}}</ref> while ''The Theater of the Earth is Never Dead'',<ref name="The theater of the earth is never dead">{{Cite book |title=The theater of the earth is never dead |last=Pillai |first=G Sankara |publisher=School of drama |year=1986 |location=Trichur}}</ref> ''Selected essays of G. Sankara Pillai'',<ref name="Selected essays of G. Sankara Pillai">{{Cite book |title=Selected essays of G. Sankara Pillai |last1=N |first1=Radhakrishnan |last2=Sankarapilla |publisher=Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts |year=1997 |location=New Delhi}}</ref> ''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,<ref name="Books of G Sankara Pillai" /> of which ''Malayala Nataka Sahithya Charitram'' is considered as an authentic work on the history of Malayalam theatre.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" /> "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.[[File:Gsankara.jpg|thumb|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 ==
== Awards and honours ==
Sakara Pillai received the [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]] in 1964 for play-writing;<ref name="Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar (Akademi Awards)">{{Cite web |url=http://sangeetnatak.gov.in/sna/awardeeslist.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331060603/http://sangeetnatak.gov.in/sna/awardeeslist.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2016-03-31 |title=Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar (Akademi Awards) |date=2016-03-31 |access-date=2019-04-25}}</ref><ref name="Fellows and Award-winners of Sangeet Natak Akademi 1952-2010">{{cite book|title=Fellows and Award-winners of Sangeet Natak Akademi 1952-2010|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dLnDrXscte4C|year=2011|publisher=Sangeet Natak Akademi}}</ref> the same year as the [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi]] honoured him with their [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Drama|annual award for drama]] for his work, ''Rail Palangal''.<ref name="Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Drama">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/ksa/Awards/Play.htm |title=Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Drama |date=2019-04-26 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516212809/http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/ksa/Awards/Play.htm |archive-date=16 May 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Three years later, he was selected for the 1967 Sahitya Pravartaka Sahakarana Sanghom Award.<ref name="G. Shankara Pillai - SNA profile" /> He was also a recipient of the All India Critics Award and the Nandikar National Award.<ref name="Vatsyayan1991" /> His biography has been included in two [[Oxford University Press]] publications, ''The Oxford Companion to Theatre and Performance''<ref name="Pillai G., Shankara in Oxford Companion to Theatre and Performance">{{Cite web |url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199574193.001.0001/acref-9780199574193-e-3085 |title=Pillai G., Shankara in Oxford Companion to Theatre and Performance |date=2010-01-01 |publisher=Oxford University Press |language=en |doi=10.1093/acref/9780199574193.001.0001/acref-9780199574193-e-3085 |access-date=2019-04-26}}</ref> and ''The Oxford Encyclopedia of Theatre and Performance''.<ref name="Pillai G., Shankara in Oxford Encyclopedia">{{Cite web |url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198601746.001.0001/acref-9780198601746-e-3085 |title=Pillai G., Shankara in Oxford Encyclopedia |last=George |first=Jose |date=2005-01-01 |publisher=Oxford University Press |language=en |doi=10.1093/acref/9780198601746.001.0001/acref-9780198601746-e-3085 |access-date=2019-04-26}}</ref>
Sakara Pillai received the [[Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]] in 1964 for play-writing;<ref name="Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar (Akademi Awards)">{{Cite web |url=http://sangeetnatak.gov.in/sna/awardeeslist.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331060603/http://sangeetnatak.gov.in/sna/awardeeslist.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2016-03-31 |title=Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar (Akademi Awards) |date=2016-03-31 |access-date=2019-04-25}}</ref><ref name="Fellows and Award-winners of Sangeet Natak Akademi 1952-2010">{{cite book|title=Fellows and Award-winners of Sangeet Natak Akademi 1952-2010|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dLnDrXscte4C|year=2011|publisher=Sangeet Natak Akademi}}</ref> the same year as the [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi]] honoured him with their [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Drama|annual award for drama]] for his work, ''Rail Palangal''.<ref name="Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Drama">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/ksa/Awards/Play.htm |title=Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Drama |date=2019-04-26 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516212809/http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/ksa/Awards/Play.htm |archive-date=16 May 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Three years later, he was selected for the 1967 Sahitya Pravartaka Sahakarana Sanghom Award.<ref name="G. Shankara Pillai - SNA profile" /> In 1986, he received the [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.keralaculture.org/drama-ksna/457|title=Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship: Drama|publisher=Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala|access-date=25 February 2023}}</ref> He was also a recipient of the All India Critics Award and the Nandikar National Award.<ref name="Vatsyayan1991" /> His biography has been included in two [[Oxford University Press]] publications, ''The Oxford Companion to Theatre and Performance''<ref name="Pillai G., Shankara in Oxford Companion to Theatre and Performance">{{Cite book|url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199574193.001.0001/acref-9780199574193-e-3085 |title=Pillai G., Shankara in Oxford Companion to Theatre and Performance |chapter=Pillai G., Shankara |date=2010-01-01 |publisher=Oxford University Press |language=en |doi=10.1093/acref/9780199574193.001.0001 |isbn=978-0-19-957419-3 |access-date=2019-04-26}}</ref> and ''The Oxford Encyclopedia of Theatre and Performance''.<ref name="Pillai G., Shankara in Oxford Encyclopedia">{{Cite book|url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198601746.001.0001/acref-9780198601746-e-3085 |title=Pillai G., Shankara in Oxford Encyclopedia |last=George |first=Jose |chapter=Pillai G., Shankara |date=2005-01-01 |publisher=Oxford University Press |language=en |doi=10.1093/acref/9780198601746.001.0001 |isbn=978-0-19-860174-6 |access-date=2019-04-26}}</ref>


== Selected bibliography ==
== Selected bibliography ==
=== Plays ===
=== Plays ===
{{Div col|colwidth=40em}}
{{Div col|colwidth=40em}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://www.amazon.in/Plavilathoppikal-G-Sankara-Pillai/dp/8184940157/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1556286110&refinements=p_27%3AG+Sankara+Pillai&s=books&sr=1-1 |title=Plavilathoppikal |last=G. Sankara Pillai |publisher=KSICL |year=2008 |isbn=978-8184940152}}
* {{Cite book |title=Plavilathoppikal |last=G. Sankara Pillai |publisher=KSICL |year=2008 |isbn=978-8184940152}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://www.amazon.in/Orma-Kondu-Thurakkavunna-Vat-Malayalam/dp/0143063847/ref=sr_1_3?qid=1556286110&refinements=p_27%3AG+Sankara+Pillai&s=books&sr=1-3 |title=Orma Kondu Thurakkavunna Vathil |last=G. Sankara Pillai |publisher=Penguin India |year=2008 |isbn=978-0143063841}}
* {{Cite book |title=Orma Kondu Thurakkavunna Vathil |last=G. Sankara Pillai |publisher=Penguin India |year=2008 |isbn=978-0143063841}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://www.amazon.in/SAINIKANTE-PREMALEKHANAM-SANKARA-PILLAI-K/dp/8126443103/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1556286110&refinements=p_27%3AG+Sankara+Pillai&s=books&sr=1-2 |title=Sainikante Premalekhanam |last=G. Sankara Pillai |publisher=DC Books |year=2008 |isbn=978-8126443109}}
* {{Cite book |title=Sainikante Premalekhanam |last=G. Sankara Pillai |publisher=DC Books |year=2008 |isbn=978-8126443109}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=304923&query_desc=au%253A%2522Sankara%2520Pillai%252CG.%2522 |title=Asthanaviddikal |last=Sankara Pillai |first=G. |publisher=Poorna |location=Calicut}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=304923&query_desc=au%253A%2522Sankara%2520Pillai%252CG.%2522 |title=Asthanaviddikal |last=Sankara Pillai |first=G. |publisher=Poorna |location=Calicut}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=220279&query_desc=au%253A%2522Sankara%2520Pillai%252CG.%2522 |title=Sapthami |last=Sankarapillai |first=G. |date=1978 |publisher=S.P.C.S |location=Kottayam}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=220279&query_desc=au%253A%2522Sankara%2520Pillai%252CG.%2522 |title=Sapthami |last=Sankarapillai |first=G. |date=1978 |publisher=S.P.C.S |location=Kottayam }}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* {{Cite book |url=http://mgucat.mgu.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=3946&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520g%2520sankara%2520pillai |title=Bharatha Vakyam |last=Sankara Pillai |first=G. |last2=Tharakan |first2=K. M; Tr |date=1981 |location=Trichur, Kerala Sahitya Akademi}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://mgucat.mgu.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=3946&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520g%2520sankara%2520pillai |title=Bharatha Vakyam |last1=Sankara Pillai |first1=G. |last2=Tharakan |first2=K. M; Tr |date=1981 |location=Trichur, Kerala Sahitya Akademi}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://mgucat.mgu.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=21396&query_desc=au%253A%2522Sankara%2520Pillai%252C%2520G%2522 |title=Sarvvam saha: Malayala naatakam |last=Sankara Pillai |first=G; Author |date=1985}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://mgucat.mgu.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=21396&query_desc=au%253A%2522Sankara%2520Pillai%252C%2520G%2522 |title=Sarvvam saha: Malayala naatakam |last=Sankara Pillai |first=G; Author |date=1985}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://mgucat.mgu.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=21395&query_desc=au%253A%2522Sankara%2520Pillai%252C%2520G%2522 |title=Raappakshikal athavaa Bhagavathipuram theevandi stationil enthu sambhavichu: Malayala naatakam |last=Sankara Pillai |first=G; Author |date=1984 |location=Kottayam, D C Books}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://mgucat.mgu.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=21395&query_desc=au%253A%2522Sankara%2520Pillai%252C%2520G%2522 |title=Raappakshikal athavaa Bhagavathipuram theevandi stationil enthu sambhavichu: Malayala naatakam |last=Sankara Pillai |first=G; Author |date=1984 |location=Kottayam, D C Books}}
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=== Essays ===
=== Essays ===
{{Div col|colwidth=40em}}
{{Div col|colwidth=40em}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=305819&query_desc=au%253A%2522Sankara%2520Pillai%252CG.%2522 |title=G.Sankarapillayute Lekhanangal |last=Sankara Pillai |first=G. |last2=Rajakrishnan |first2=V. |date=1993 |publisher=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |location=Thrissur}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=305819&query_desc=au%253A%2522Sankara%2520Pillai%252CG.%2522 |title=G.Sankarapillayute Lekhanangal |last1=Sankara Pillai |first1=G. |last2=Rajakrishnan |first2=V. |date=1993 |publisher=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |location=Thrissur}}
* {{cite book|author=N. Radhakrishnan|title=Selected essays of G. Sankara Pillai|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SvVkAAAAMAAJ|date=1 January 1997|publisher=Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts|isbn=978-81-224-1081-5}}
* {{cite book|author=N. Radhakrishnan|title=Selected essays of G. Sankara Pillai|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SvVkAAAAMAAJ|date=1 January 1997|publisher=Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts|isbn=978-81-224-1081-5}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=286742&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520g%2520sankara%2520pillai |title=Nataka darsanam |last=Sankara Pillai |first=G. |date=1990 |publisher=D. C. Books |location=Kottayam}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=286742&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520g%2520sankara%2520pillai |title=Nataka darsanam |last=Sankara Pillai |first=G. |date=1990 |publisher=D. C. Books |location=Kottayam}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=229958&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520g%2520sankara%2520pillai |title=Malayala nadaka sahithya charithram |last=Sankara Pillai |first=G. |date=1980 |publisher=Kerala Sahithya Academy |location=Thrissur}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=229958&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520g%2520sankara%2520pillai |title=Malayala nadaka sahithya charithram |last=Sankara Pillai |first=G. |date=1980 |publisher=Kerala Sahithya Academy |location=Thrissur }}{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* {{Cite book |url=http://mgucat.mgu.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=24322&query_desc=au%253A%2522Sankara%2520Pillai%252C%2520G%2522 |title=Ibsente naataka sankalpam |last=Sankara Pillai |first=G; Author |date=1990 |edition= 2nd}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://mgucat.mgu.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=24322&query_desc=au%253A%2522Sankara%2520Pillai%252C%2520G%2522 |title=Ibsente naataka sankalpam |last=Sankara Pillai |first=G; Author |date=1990 |edition= 2nd}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://mgucat.mgu.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=23554&query_desc=au%253A%2522Sankara%2520Pillai%252C%2520G%2522 |title=C V yude haasyasankalpam |last=Sankara Pillai |first=G; Author |date=1987}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://mgucat.mgu.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=23554&query_desc=au%253A%2522Sankara%2520Pillai%252C%2520G%2522 |title=C V yude haasyasankalpam |last=Sankara Pillai |first=G; Author |date=1987}}
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=== Translation ===
=== Translation ===
* {{Cite book |url=http://mgucat.mgu.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=24337&query_desc=au%253A%2522Sankara%2520Pillai%252C%2520G%2522 |title=Aaru kathaapaathrangal naatakakrthine thedi: Italian naatakam |last=Piranthalo |first=Luigi; Author |last2=Sankara Pillai |first2=G; Translator |date=1989}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://mgucat.mgu.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=24337&query_desc=au%253A%2522Sankara%2520Pillai%252C%2520G%2522 |title=Aaru kathaapaathrangal naatakakrthine thedi: Italian naatakam |last1=Piranthalo |first1=Luigi; Author |last2=Sankara Pillai |first2=G; Translator |date=1989}}


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 100: Line 102:
* [[List of Malayalam-language authors]]
* [[List of Malayalam-language authors]]
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}
 
{{Portal|India|Literature}}


== References ==
== References ==
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== Further reading ==
== Further reading ==
* {{Cite web |url=http://opentextkerala.blogspot.com/2015/05/a-brief-overview-of-history-of-theatre.html |title=A Brief Overview of the History of Theatre in Kerala from 1967 |date=2019-04-26 |website=opentextkerala.blogspot.com |language=en-GB |access-date=2019-04-26}}
* {{Cite web |url=http://opentextkerala.blogspot.com/2015/05/a-brief-overview-of-history-of-theatre.html |title=A Brief Overview of the History of Theatre in Kerala from 1967 |date=2019-04-26 |website=opentextkerala.blogspot.com |language=en-GB |access-date=2019-04-26}}
* [[iarchive:dli.ministry.22496|"IN SEARCH OF A NEW THEATER" An Interview with G. Sankara Pillai"]]. archieve.org. Retrieved 11 Jan 2025.
* [https://www.critical-stages.org/27/stages-of-resistance-and-re-connections-unfolding-story-of-a-third-world-theatre-festival/ "Stages of Resistance and Re-connections: Unfolding Story of a Third World Theatre Festival"], critical-stages.org .Retrieved 11 Jan 2025.
* [https://www.jstor.org/stable/24159077 "The Malayalam Scene: Scarcity amidst Plenty"], jstor.org.Retrieved 11 Jan 2025.
* "The Theatre of the Earth is Never Dead", Trad. Arts Project, School of Drama, University of Calicut, 1986


== External links==
== External links==
* {{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6YOKA22et8 |title=Smrithi Promo - G. Sankara Pillai |last=Safari |date=2018-01-12 |access-date=2019-04-26}}
* {{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6YOKA22et8 |title=Smrithi Promo - G. Sankara Pillai |last=Safari |website=[[YouTube]] |date=2018-01-12 |access-date=2019-04-26}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100521065955/http://www.dbcsasthamcotta.edu.in/ Nataka kalari]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100521065955/http://www.dbcsasthamcotta.edu.in/ Nataka kalari]
* {{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Profiles/GSANKARAPILLAI/Html/GSankaraPillai.htm |title=Portrait commissioned by Kerala Sahitya Akademi |date=2019-04-23 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-04-23}}
* {{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Profiles/GSANKARAPILLAI/Html/GSankaraPillai.htm |title=Portrait commissioned by Kerala Sahitya Akademi |date=2019-04-23 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-04-23}}
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[[Category:Academic staff of the University of Calicut]]
[[Category:University of Kerala alumni]]
[[Category:University of Kerala alumni]]
[[Category:University of Kerala faculty]]
[[Category:Academic staff of the University of Kerala]]
[[Category:Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala faculty]]
[[Category:Academic staff of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship]]

Latest revision as of 05:34, 3 July 2025


G. Sankara Pillai
G Sankara Pillai
G Sankara Pillai
Born(1930-06-22)22 June 1930
Chirayinkeezhu, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Died1 January 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

Gopala Pillai Sankara Pillai (22 June 1930 – 1 January 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 | edit source]

Mahatma Gandhi University - Entrance

Pillai was born on 22 June 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]

Sankarapillai showcased his acting prowess in Adoor Gopalakrishnan's much-acclaimed movie 'Swayamvaram' (One's Own Choice)[5][6] and in another movie produced by Madhu, 'Sathi', which was loosely based on Shankarapillai's drama called 'Poojaamuri' (Prayer Room).

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Pillai was one of pioneers of modern Malayalam theatre and an advocate of total theater,[7] he helped introduce a system and academic discipline to it.[8][9][10] 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,[11] which nurtured several theatre practitioners such as Vayala Vasudevan Pillai[12] and helped revive a number of earlier dramas such as Avan Veendum Varunnu of C. J. Thomas in a new form.[13] 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.[14] 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,[15] 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.[16]

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 1956.[2] This was followed by 43 plays and 11 books of essay compilations.[17] Vivaham Swargathil Nadakkunnu (1958) (Marriages happen in heaven), Bharatha Vakyam,[18] 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][19] while The Theater of the Earth is Never Dead,[20] Selected essays of G. Sankara Pillai,[21] 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,[17] 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 | edit source]

Sakara Pillai received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1964 for play-writing;[22][23] the same year as the Kerala Sahitya Akademi honoured him with their annual award for drama for his work, Rail Palangal.[24] Three years later, he was selected for the 1967 Sahitya Pravartaka Sahakarana Sanghom Award.[16] In 1986, he received the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship.[25] He was also a recipient of the All India Critics Award and the Nandikar National Award.[15] His biography has been included in two Oxford University Press publications, The Oxford Companion to Theatre and Performance[26] and The Oxford Encyclopedia of Theatre and Performance.[27]

Selected bibliography[edit | edit source]

Plays[edit | edit source]

  • 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) CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G. (1975). Thirumpivanthaan thampi (in Malayalam). Kottayam, N B S.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G. (1985). Andanum atakotanum (in Malayalam). KOttayam, D C Books.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  • Sankara Pillai, G. (1980). Karutha daivathe thedi (in Malayalam). Kottayam, D C Books.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)

Essays[edit | edit source]

Translation[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "G. Sankara Pillai - Veethi profile". veethi.com. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal". Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "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. Sankara (1997). Selected Essays of G. Sankara Pillai. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
  6. ↑ "Swayamvaram (1972 film)", Bharatpedia, 27 December 2024, retrieved 3 January 2025
  7. ↑ "Pillai G., Shankara (1930—1989)". The Oxford Companion to Theatre and Performance. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  8. ↑ "The man who gave academic discipline for theatre". The Hindu. 2 January 2016. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  9. ↑ "G. Sankara Pillai's role in giving academic status to theatre hailed". The Hindu. 27 April 2011. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  10. ↑ "Modernist Malayalam Theatre - Drama Literature". www.keralaculture.org. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  11. ↑ "Bitten by the theatre bug". The Hindu. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  12. ↑ "Entertainment Thiruvananthapuram / Personality : Theatre, his forte". The Hindu. 8 April 2005. Retrieved 26 April 2019.[dead link]
  13. ↑ N, Smitha (14 December 2017). "Renowned Nataka Kalari celebrates golden jubilee". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  14. ↑ "Celebrating 50 years of amateur theatre movement". The New Indian Express. 18 December 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Kapila Vatsyayan (1991). Concepts of Space, Ancient and Modern. Abhinav Publications. pp. 645–. ISBN 978-81-7017-252-9.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "G. Shankara Pillai - SNA profile". sangeetnatak.gov.in. 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Books of G Sankara Pillai". keralasahityaakademi.org. 1 December 2018.
  18. ↑ G, Sankara Pillai (1981). Bharatha Vkyam. Trichur: Kerala Sahitya Akademi.
  19. ↑ A, Datta; M Lal (1987). Encyclopaedia of indian literature. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi.
  20. ↑ Pillai, G Sankara (1986). The theater of the earth is never dead. Trichur: School of drama.
  21. ↑ N, Radhakrishnan; Sankarapilla (1997). Selected essays of G. Sankara Pillai. New Delhi: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
  22. ↑ "Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar (Akademi Awards)". 31 March 2016. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  23. ↑ Fellows and Award-winners of Sangeet Natak Akademi 1952-2010. Sangeet Natak Akademi. 2011.
  24. ↑ "Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Drama". Kerala Sahitya Akademi. 26 April 2019. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  25. ↑ "Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship: Drama". Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  26. ↑ "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.
  27. ↑ 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 | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

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