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N. N. Pillai
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N. N. Pillai | |
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 Pillai | |
| Born | Narayana Pillai Narayana Pillai 23 December 1918 |
| Died | 14 November 1995 (aged 76) |
| Occupation | Actor, playwright, theater director, orator, lyricist, commanding officer in I.N.A Field Propaganda Unit |
| Spouse(s) | Chinnamma(Kalyanikutti Amma) |
| Children | Sulochana, Vijayaraghavan,Renuka |
| Parent(s) | Narayana Pillai Parvathi Amma |
N. N. Pillai (Narayana Pillai Narayana Pillai) (1918–1995) was an Indian playwright, actor, theatre director, orator, screenplay writer, lyricist and an I.N.A Freedom fighter. (Served as Commanding Officer of Field Propaganda Unit under Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose): in INA - Indian National Army).[1] He has reigned the Malayalam theatre over four decades and has been entrusted the title “Nadakacharyan” – The Numero Uno Maestro / Doyen of Malayalam Theatre. Mr Pillai undoubtedly crowns the appellation through his remarkable contributions to theater as a playwright, director, actor and a producer. His two studies on theatre 'Nadakadarpanam' and 'Curtain' are considered a bible and handbook for all theater aspirants.
He started his drama troupe “ Viswa Kerala Kala Samithi” in 1952. This intellectual and brave mind has produced 23 full-length plays, 40 one act plays, 2 theatrical studies and his much acclaimed and daring autobiography “Njan” meaning “I”.[2] His most popular plays are Kapalika, Cross Belt, Prethalokam, Dam, Vishamavritham, Easwarn Arrestil, Guerilla, Supreme Court and Njan Swargathil. He along with his family members gave life to the characters in most of his plays. His plays questioned the socio political injustice, hypocrisy and corruptions prevalent in the society. The satire and sharp dialogues he used in his plays have sent shockwaves across the state. Through the themes and dialogues used, he aimed to bring forth the wretched inequalities and injustice in the society and to purify them by strong ridicule. Mr.Pillai was never an advocate of any political party or ideology. The ideology he upheld was humanity and nationalism which reflects in all his dramas and articles.
Early and personal life[edit]
N. N. Pillai was born on 23 December 1918 at Vaikom, Thalayazham Kottayam district to Ullala KeettuParambil Narayana Pillai and Vaikom Thethathil Parukkutty Amma.[3][2][4][5] His father was a village officer. Due to his fathers official transfer he studied in different places in central kerala. He had a taste for literature at a very early age which he gives credit to his mother. He started reading books at the age of 6 and by the age of 12 he had memorized 5000 plus Akshara Slokams and poems and had won many competitions. Languages, history, philosophy and human civilizations were his favorite subjects. He did his intermediate from CMS College Kottayam but failed in the exams. He went to Malaysia at the age of 19 in search of a job were he worked as a Journalist (subeditor for KeralaBandhu daily and Staff Reporter for Singapore Herald), estate manager & medical dresser and later joined INA during World War II. During his stint in Malaysia, he became an avid reader of diverse English books and novels. He mastered Malayan and Japanese language during this period. While working as a journalist he interviewed then famous hollywood actor Paul Muni in Singapore, perhaps the first indian to have interviewed this legendary actor.
During the Second World War, he was part of the Field Propaganda Unit as Commanding Officer of a 58-member Team of INA. After dissolution of INA he returned to Kerala in 1946 and married Chinnamma. He became popular and recognized as an INA freedom fighter and was appointed the Travancore State Secretary of INA Relief fund under Pattom Thanu Pillai. Along with his wife and elder daughter, he went to Malaysia again were he worked for four years as an estate manager and medical dresser. He himself took birth of his Son Vijayaraghavan while working in the Malaysian Estate.
His family includes his wife Chinnamma (late), sister Omana(late), two daughters Sulochana and Renuka and son Vijayaraghavan who is a very popular Malayalam film actor. N N Pillai was a strong atheist throughout his life. His son said in an interview that even in his death bed in hospital, he felt uneasy on hearing prayers.
Stint With INA[edit]
While working in Malaysia as a journalist and estate supervisor in 1942, he was attracted by the patriotic and Freedom Movements,the Indian Independence League and the Indian National Army. Driven by patriotism he left his estate job and joined INA in Gafar company Platoon II under Platoon Commander Major Somasundaram as Nayik/ soldier. After few months of training he was moved to Field Propaganda Unit named " Azad Hind Dal" formed under guidance of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in Singapore. He was elevated to the rank of Commanding officer of a 58 member unit. During his stint in INA he had faced the cruel faces of the war and many a times managed to escape from heavy carpet bombings of the British allies and guerrilla attacks of the Burman militant group. His troop was moved to Mergui and later to Rangoon as a backup for the Imphal war. During his association with Netaji once he asked him about the trustworthiness of the Japanese army , for which Netaji replied " If required the guns can be used for firing backwards also". After dissolution of the I.N.A in 1945 by Netaji, pillai was taken to Calcutta by the British army , were he skillfully managed to escape enroute to the prison and returned to his native, Kottayam. In-spite of being the commanding officer for a Unit and the secretary of I.N.A Travancore state relief fund he has never availed any pension or grants for his services. In fact he had recommended many of his INA colleagues for availing the pension benefits.
Theatre and movies[edit]
N. N. Pillai started his drama troupe called Viswa Kerala Kala Samithi in 1952 under the presence of Famous Poet Vallathol Narayana Menon."Manushyan" meaning 'Human' was the first drama staged by Viswa Kerala Kala Samithi. Pillai and his family members performed in all his dramas making it a family affair and perhaps a rare thing across the world were an entire family coming forth for the cause of drama and as their livelihood. But the initial dramas he had written were during his stint in INA at the age of 24 which upheld patriotism and national pride ."Thantiia Tope" was the first play written and directed by him in which he played the role of thantia thope. The play was written in English. It was translated into various languages and staged in military camps in INA. Qurbani was the 2nd drama he had written under Netaji's instruction, which was staged in front of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose while in Ragoon camp. Netaji was highly moved by the play, tears rolled down his cheeks watching the play and Mr.Pillai was gifted a purse by Netaji. Thantia Tope was also the last play watched by Netaji,just 4 days before his fatal air crash.
Later while working as a teacher for a short stint in Kililoor Sanskrit school, Kottayam in 1946 he had written a one-act play : "Aa ottu company mathiyarnnu" for the schools annual day and was staged by students of the school under his direction. All his plays lashed out at the social inequality, injustice, corruption and hypocrisy and have attracted audiences throughout kerala, all over India and even abroad. His wife Chinnamma, sister G.Omana( winner of Kerala state award for best actress - theatre), elder daughter Sulocahana and son Vijayaraghavan played important characters in his plays. His Troupe Viswa Kerala Kala Samithi staged his plays till 2005 even after his death in 1995, by his son Vijayaraghavan and son-in-law Rajendra Babu.
Some of his popular plays are Easwaran Arrestil, Kapalika, Supreme Court Prethalokam, Gorilla, Folydol, Kanakku Chembakaraman and Cross Belt. His much acclaimed plays Kapalika and Cross belt were remade into movies. Pillai also acted in movies in Malayalam, Kapalika Godfather and Naadody of which Godfather was a blockbuster success. Godfather has made a huge impact in the minds of malayali audience that he became highly popular with the younger and present generation too. Godfather was also remade into Telugu and Tamil language where he acted in the same role in all these languages.
A stone monument made of Krishnashila stone depicting a theatre is built at his residence Olassa, Kottayam in 1996 as memoir to this genius and legend. Every year a gathering of family members and his admirers lights lamp and shower flowers at the monument on his demise day 14 November. Prominent cultural personalities are honored and young talents are awarded by NN Pillai foundation formed by his son Vijayaraghavan and Daya Samskarika Vedhi, Kodayampady, Kottayam on this day.
Every year since 2012 a fortnight long drama festival is being conducted by Chorus arts society Maniyattu, Kasargod district in November in remembrance of the maverick in its utmost splendor and gravity .The festival ends with honoring the best play, playwright, actor and actress. This drama festival is considered to be one of the biggest drama festival in the state conducted by any arts society owing to the 2000+ audience participation and the pomp and grandeur in which it is organized.
Awards and accolades[edit]
- Kerala Sahithya Academy Award for the Best Play in 1967 for "Prethalokam"
- Kerala Education Society (Delhi) award in 1967
- Kendra Sangeet Nataka Academy Award in 1969 for Acting
- Malayala Nadu Award in 1970 for Best Dramatist
- Kerala sahithya Academy Award in 1971 for 'Nadakadarpanam" •
- Best Playwright Award for his drama "Manwantharam" by Amateur cultures Trivandrum in 1975
- Abhudhabi Malayali Samajam Sahithya award for his Autobiography "Njan" Award in 1982
- Kerala State Award in 1990 for his contribution to theatre. •
- Sri Swathi Thirunal Sangeeta Sabha Award in 1991 for his works in theatre
- Prof. Krishna Pillai Foundation Award in 1992 for his excellence in theatre • Sreerangom award in 1992 for his contribution to Malayalam theatre
- Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy Fellowship in 1992 for Award in 1992 for his contribution to drama
Filmography[edit]
- 1973 - Kaapalika as Lazar
- 1991 - Godfather as Anjooran[2]
- 1992 - Naadody[2]
- 1992 - Peddarikam (Telugu)[2]
References[edit]
- ↑ "N N Pillai's Plays Published". oneindia.com. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Nivin Pauly to play theatre legend N N Pillai in biopic by Rajeev Ravi". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
- ↑ "Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal". Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal. 24 April 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
- ↑ S.r.praveen (22 November 2018). "A legend's masterpiece to be revived". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
- ↑ "CiniDiary". cinidiary.com. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
External links[edit]
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- Male actors from Kottayam
- Indian male film actors
- Malayalam-language dramatists and playwrights
- 1918 births
- 1995 deaths
- Indian atheists
- Indian male stage actors
- 20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights
- Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- Malayalam-language writers
- Indian theatre directors
- Writers from Kottayam
- Male actors in Malayalam cinema
- Male actors in Telugu cinema
- Male actors in Malayalam theatre
- People from Vaikom
- 20th-century Indian male actors
- Dramatists and playwrights from Kerala