Chandradasan
Chandradasan (born December 1958) is an Indian theatre director, actor, writer and translator from Kerala, India.
Chandradasan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Chandradasan 25 December 1958 |
| Alma mater | CMS College Kottayam |
| Occupation | Theatre director, Academic, director |
Early life and education
Chandradasan did graduation in Chemistry and post- graduation in Analytical Chemistry in CMS College Kottayam, Film Appreciation course from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, in 1987 also attended various training programs in Theatre and Film from various institutes including the School of Drama and Fine Arts Trissur. In 1982 he was employed as a lecturer in Chemistry at St. Alberts College Ernakulam. Then Shifted to Ernakulam and interaction with various artists, art forms, art institutions like Kerala Kalapeetam which was a hub of artists, writers, film makers and intellectuals in Ernakulam, nourished his interest in Drama and Theatre. He started working with rural theatre groups like Gramavedi Vallarpadam, Bhasabheri Thripunithura and directed plays including Theruvujadha, Rajavinte Chenda which wereperformed widely all over Kerala launched him as a noteworthy theatre person in the state.[1]
Career
Chandradasan productions include adaptations of the Classics (Western and Indian), Shakespeare, Contemporary plays, Musicals, Improvised and Devised productions, Poetry and Short story performances, Comedies, and children’s plays. He has designed and directed more than 50 plays in Malayalam, English, Sanskrit, Kannada, Lithuanian, Finnish and Tamil.[2] Chandradasan won the National award for the best play at Mahindra Theatre Festival for his play Karnabharam, New Delhi in 2008.[3] He has achieved many awards for best play, direction, acting at theatre festivals all over India, apart from being a resource person in many theatre institutes, and universities which include 10 plays for children. He has also co-authored 3 books in Chemistry which were used as text books for the graduate course in Chemistry.
Lokadharmi Theatre Group
Chandradasan is the founder of Lokadharmi Theatre Group and Mazhavillu (rainbow), a children's theatre group, both based in Kochi, Kerala, India.[4][5]
Apart Theatre
He was the director board member of RRC, Bangalore of NSD.[6] and was a professor in Chemistry at St. Albert's College, Ernakulam.[7] He as also done notable roles in few Films.[8][9]
Awards
- Chandradasan received the State Award of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy for his outstanding contribution in Theatre.
- Fulbright- Nehru Fellowship for Professional and academic Excellence 2014, from United States India education Foundation (USIEF). The fellowship was for six months to do research in America, on ‘The Management of Community and Experimental Theatre in multiple contexts.
- Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards for the best play for Karnnabharam, held at New Delhi in 2008. This play also won awards for best scenic design and best costume design.
- The best playwright award by Kerala Bala Sahitya Institute 2015, for the play Bommanahalliyile Kinnara Yogi.
- The Senior Fellowship in theatre from the department of Culture, Govt of India 2016. The fellowship was to do a research on ‘Spacing the Modern Theatre Movement of Kerala from 1975 to 2015- Influences, Inclinations and Negotiations’.
Directorial works along with its design
| Year | Title | Production |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Kariya Devara Huduki (In Search of Black God) | NSD Bangalore |
| 2019 | Arkediyadalli Puck (Puck in Arkediya) | Rangayana Mysore |
| 2018 | Shakuntalam – Oru Nayattu Kadha (Shakuntalam- the story of the Hunt) | Lokadharmi |
| 2017 | Shakuntalam | National School of Drama, Delhi |
| 2016 | Journey in Three Chapters | Lokadharmi |
| 2016 | Kaali Naadakam (The play of Kaali) | Lokadharmi |
| 2014 | Agleyum Cliyopatrayum (Egle and Cleopatra) | Lokadharmi |
| 2014 | Story of the Silly Folk | Arts Council, Joensuu, Finland |
| 2014 | Thathamaram (The Parrot-Tree) | Mazhavillu, Children’s Theatre group |
| 2013 | Eagle and Cleopatra | Anima Mundi, International Arts Festival Lithuania |
| 2012 | Viswavikhyathamaya Mookku (World Famous Noose) (Co-director Terry Converse USA) | Lokadharmi |
| 2012 | Draupadi | Lokadharmi |
| 2012 | Two Mothers in the Realm of Death (Co-director Tuire Hindikka, Finland) | Arts Council Joensuu, Finland and Lokadharmi |
| 2011 | Lankalakshmi | Lokadharmi |
| 2010 | Bommanahalliyile Kinnara Yogi (The Yogi from Bommanahalli with the Kinnara) | Mazhavillu, Children’s Theatre Group Kochi |
| 2009 | Bommanahalliyile Bommanahalliya Kindari Jogi (The Yogi from Bommanahalli with the Kinnara) | MP Prakash Arts Foundation, Shimoga |
| 2009 | Abhayarthikal (Refugees) | Lokadharmi |
| 2007 | Alibabayum 40 Kallanmarum | Mazhavillu, Children’s Theatre Group Kochi |
| 2007 | Madhavi | Campus Theatre of St. Alberts College and Lokadharmi |
| 2006 | Ubu Maharaja (Ubu Roi) | Lokadharmi |
| 2006 | Pattabakki | Lokadharmi |
| 2005 | Alibabayum 40 Kallanmarum | Bangalore RRC of National School of Drama, and Kamak School Tutucorin, Tamil Nadu |
| 2005 | Rithubhethangal | Hindustan News Print Limited, Velloor, Kerala performed at HPC day at Kolkata |
| 2004 | Ravunni | Suryakanthi Theatre Alappuzha |
| 2002 | Charandas Chor (Charandas the Thief) | Mazhavillu Children’s Theatre |
| 2002 | The Selfish Giant | Surya Children’s Theatre Kochi |
| 2001 | Madhuve Hennu (The Bride) | Holeranga, Honnali, Karnataka |
| 2000 | Medea | Lokadharmi (earlier produced by St. Alberts College in 1996 Ernakulam and Sopanam Kollam) |
| 1999 | Kalippavakal | Surya Children’s Theatre Kochi |
| 1998 | Nandan Kadha | Lokadharmi |
| 1996 | Poranadi (The Outcaste) | Lokadharmi |
| 1995 | Vishnu Maya (The Illusion of Vishnu) | Surya Children’s Theatre Kochi |
| 1995 | Chathankattu (The Tempest) | Lokadharmi |
| 1994 | Oru Koottam Urumpukal | Surya Children’s Theatre Kochi |
| 1993 | Karnnabharam (The Anguish of Karnna) | Lokadharmi |
| 1989 | Gopuranadayil (at the Sanctum Sanctorum) | Bhasabheri Thripunithura |
| 1989 | Rajavinte Chenda (Safdar Hashmi -adapted by Chandradasan) | Gramavedi Vallarpadam, Kochi |
| 1988 | Death Watch | Gramavedi Vallarpadam, Kochi |
| 1987 | Theruvujadha (The Procession) Badal Sircar | Gramavedi Vallarpadam, Kochi |
Filmography as Actor
| Year | Film | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Trance (2020 film) | Rev Fr. Joseph Kurian | Anwar Rasheed |
| 2020 | Murivukal Puzhayakunnu | Dr.James | PK Sunil Nath |
| 2019 | Vari- the Sentence | Human Rights officer | Srijith Poyilkavu |
| 2019 | Ottam | Business man | Zam |
| 2019 | Oru Caribbean Udayipu | Director of a College | A Joji |
| 2019 | One way | Rich Gambler | Muthuswami Sakthivel |
| 2019 | Guzman Gomaz | Guzman | Jayan Naduvathazhath |
| 2017 | Ezra (2017 film) | Priest | Jay K |
| 2016 | School Bus (film) | Forest Researcher | Rosshan Andrrews |
| 2014 | Gangster (2014 film) | Doctor | Aashiq Abu |
| 2013 | Kalimannu | Political Leader | Blessy |
References
- https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/theatre-practitioner-chandradasan-says-this-lockdown-is-a-time-for-introspection-relaxation-and-revaluation/article31183537.ece
- "Lokadharmi". Retrieved 22 February 2009.
- Manmadhan, Prema (26 July 2008). "Curtain Call". Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2009.
- https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2017/apr/17/a-forte-for-theatre-1594641.html
- https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/lokadharmis-dream-theatre-complex-opens-at-nayarambalam/article17683649.ece
- https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2017/apr/17/a-forte-for-theatre-1594641.html
- St. Albert's staff listing Archived 21 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/health-and-wellbeing/201118/mental-health-via-theatre.html
- https://www.indulgexpress.com/life-style/society/2018/mar/23/lokadharmis-vypin-based-nadaka-veedu-is-opening-its-doors-wider-this-year-6555.html