a centre for theatre training, research and performance

CHANDRADASAN

Theatrical Resume

Address: Lokadharmi, 44/2257, Convent Road, Vyttila, Kochi,
Pin: 682 019, Kerala. INDIA
Phone: 0484 2302403, Mobile : 9447414200
E-mail: chandradasan@asianetonline.net; Website: www.lokadharmi.org

Personal
Born on 25th December 1958, Kottayam Dist., Kerala.

Training
• 5 years research experience in theatre as part of PhD program at School of Letters, M.G University, Kottayam.
Attended various training programs in Theatre and Film from college days onwards.

Production History

Design and Directing Credits

1. Ravunni (a play by P.M.Thaj for Suryakanti Theruvarangu Nataka sangham Alappey as part of the project Arangil ninnum Adukkalayilekku that was aiming to create an alternate performance space and system. the company toured the whole of North Kerala and did more than 150 shows of this play at non conventional spaces, 2004)
2. Macbeth (An eco political performance based on the play by William Shakespeare for Lokadharmi, 2002.)
3. Madhuve Hennu - in Kannada (the Bride by H.S.Shivaprakash, for Hole Ranga Honnali, Karnataka, 2001),
4. Nandan Kadha (The story of Nandan by Indira Parthasarathy; translated from Tamil by Shibu.S.Kottaram, Lokadharmi 1999),
5. Mathavilasa Prahasanam -in Sanskrit (The pranks of the drunk Mahendra Vikrama Varman; Sanskrit College Thripunithura.1998),
6. Poranadi (The Outcast by K.N.Panicker Lokadharmi 1996);
7. Medea (Euripides, translated by Puthusseri Ramachandran, Centre for performing arts Kollam, 1996 and reproduced for Lokadharmi 2001);
8. Muditheyyam urayunnu (The Hair Goddess is in a trance based on the short story by Sara Joseph, script by self, KCYM 1995);
9. Chathankattu (based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest, adaptation by self, Lokadharmi Tripunithura 1995);
10. Khani (The Mine by K.A. Chidambaram, CSRC Kochi 1994);
11. Karnnabharam (the anguish on Karnna by Bhasa, Translated from Sanskrit by K.N.Panicker, Lokadharmi Tripunithura 1993);
12. Gopuranatayil (At the Sanctum Sanctorum by MT Vasudevan Nair, Bhasabheri Tripunithura 1991);
13. Rajavinte Chenda (The King’s Drum by Safdar Hashmi, translated from Hindi by Achuthan Vallikkunnu, Gramavedi, Vallarpadam, 1990);
14. Murder in the Cathedral – in English (by T.S.Eliot, St Theresa’s college Eranakulam , co-directed with P.Elish, 1989)
15. Subhantham (The Happy ending by G. Sankara Pillai, St.Alberts college Eranakulam; 1988);
16. Death Watch (by Jean Genet, translated by self, Gramavedi, Vallarpadam, 1988);
17. Theruvujadha (Procession by Badal Sarcar, translated by self Gramavedi, Vallarpadam 1986);
18. Lokam, Pisachu (World, Saitan by TM Abraham, St.Alberts college Eranakulam; 1985)
19. Ottayan (The lone tusker by Kavalam Narayana Panikker, St.Alberts college Eranakulam 1984)
20. Aasthana Viddikal (Court jesters, by G,Sankara Pillai, Prathibha Mannackanadu,1980)
21. Kizhavanum Kazhuthayum (The old man and the donkey by G,Sankara Pillai, Prathibha Mannackanadu,1979)

Children’s plays – Design and Directing Credits

22. Rithubhethangal (Swing of seasons, a performance based on the classic poetry Rithusamhara by Kalidasa for Hindustan News Print Limited to be performed at HPC day at Kolkata, 2005)
23. Alibabavum 40 Thirudarkalum (Alibaba and 40 thieves in Tamil for Bangalore RRC of National School of Drama, with the children of Kamak School Tutucorin, Tamil Nadu 2005)
24. Charandas Chor (children's version of the play by Habib Tanveer, for Mazhavillu, the children's theatre repertory of Lokadharmi, 2002)
25. The Selfish Giant (adaptation of the short story by Oscar Wilde, Surya children’s theatre 2002)
26. Kalippavakal (Play puppets An improvised Children’s Play, Surya childrens theatre 1998),
27. Karonmadi Muthan (The old man Karonmadi by Joy.P.P Surya childrens theatre 1997),
28. Vishnu Maya (The Maya of Vishnu by K.N. Panikker Surya Childrens theatre Kochi 1995);
29. Oru Koottam Urumbukal (A Group of Ants by G.Sankara Pillai, Surya Childrens theatre Kochi 1994);
30. The Scared Tree – in English (co-directed with P.Elish; scripted by Paul Mathew based on The Lord of the Flies by William Goulding, for Living theatre Cochin, 1992)

Acting Credits

as Daveed in aa manushyan nee thanne ( You are that man)

1. Kovalan in Madhurakandam (The Madhura episode by H.S.Shivaprakash, for Lokadharmi directed by R.Raju Pondichery 2005).
2. Daveed in Aa manushyan nee thane (You are that man by C J Thomas, Changapuzha Samskarika Kendram, Edappaly, 2004) Directed by N Somasundaran
3. Duryodanan in Andha Yugam (Blind Age by Dharmaveer Bharathi, Lokadharmi Production, Kochi, 2003) Directed by Sudheer Babu
4. Father in Spandanam (Pulse by Cheravally Sasi, CMS College, Kottayam, 1981) Directed by Madhu Sankaramangalam
5. Vidushakan in Aasthana Viddikal (Court jesters, by G,Sankara Pillai, Prathibha Mannackanadu,1980) – Directed by self
6. Old man in Deepam Deepam (light by G.Sankara Pillai, Devamatha College, Kuravilangad, 1979)
7. Narendran in Jwalanam (flaming by C L Jose, Govt. UPS, Mannackanadu,1979) – Directed by Hariharan
8. Vidushakan in Moonnu pandithanmaarum parethanaya simhavum (3 scholars and a dead lion, by G,Sankara Pillai, Devamatha College, Kuravilangad,1979) – Directed by Babu Namboodiri
9. Son in Kizhavanum Kazhuthayum (The old man and the donkey by G,Sankara Pillai, Prathibha Mannackanadu,1979) – Directed by self
10. B in Venal (Summer by K G Sethunath, Prathibha Mannackanadu,1979) – Directed by Ajithan Namboodiri
11. Young man in Amalanmaar (by G,Sankara Pillai, Prathibha Mannackanadu,1978) – Directed by Mathew Luckos
12. Chakyar in Ottayan (The lone tusker by Kavalam Narayana Panikker, Devamatha College, Kuravilangad, 1977) – Directed by P.O. Varkey.

in andhayug as Duryodhana

Technical Theatre Work

1. Lighting Director – The Boor; Play by Anton Checkov, Produced by Living Theatre; Directed by P Elish
2. Lighting director – Lady Aoy; Play by Ukio Mishima, Produced by Living Theatre; Directed by P Elish
3. Lighting director – Kanchana Seetha by C N Srikantan Nair, Produced by Changampuzha Samkarika Kendram, Edappally; Directed by N Somasundaran
4. Music Director – Rajavinte Chenda by Safdar Hashmi, Produced by Grama Vedi, Vallarpadam

during stage setting

Festivals

a. International festivals

1. International Children’s Theatre Festival New Delhi – Charanadas Chor, 2003
2. ‘The Circle of the south earth’ – an international festival on ancient Greek drama in Greece and performed the production of Medea in the cities Pelos, Kalamatta and Athens in October 2001.
3. Children’s Theatre Festival New Delhi - Kalippavakal in 1999
4. International Children’s Theatre Festival New Delhi - Oru Koottam Urumpukal, 1998
5. International Children’s Theatre Festival New Delhi - Vishnu Maya, 1997
6. International Theatre Olympiad, Cuttack - Poranadi in 1997
7. International Theatre Olympiad, Cuttack - Karnnabharam 1996

b. National Festivals

1. Sooryotsav, Kochi (Charanadas Chor, 2003)
2. Surya Feastival Thiruvanathapuram (Medea 2002, Charanadas Chor, 2003)
3. National Multi Lingual theatre festival, by Chorus Ahamedabad, Gujarat (Medea 2002)
4. National theatre festival at Pune, Maharashtra organised by Progressive Dramatic Association (Medea 2002)
5. National theatre festival Hyderabad (The selfish Giant 2002)
6. Bharath Rang Mahotsav organised by N.S.D. New Delhi, (Medea, 2002)
7. Nataka Bharathi – National Theatre Festival, organised by Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy, at Ernakulam (Nandan Kadha, 2000)
8. National theatre festival Tripunithura (Poranadi 1997 & Karnnabharam, 1999)
9. Abhinaya Festival Trivandrum, (Karnnabharam 1995& Vishnumaya 1998;)
10. Festival of Letters Bangalore, Karnataka organised by Sahitya Academy, New Delhi (Karnnabharam, 1995);
11. Natya parab, Abhiyan National Theatre Festival, Jagdalpur, Bastar, Madhya Pradesh, (Karnnabharam, 1998)
12. National Multi-lingual Theater Festival Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh (Karnnabharam, 1997)
13. Pataliputra Natya Mahotsav Patna, Bihar (Karnnabharam 1996 Vishnu Maya 1997 & Karnnabharam 1998;
14. The national interuniversity Youth Festival Bomabay Maharashtra (Medea, 1996)
15. National Multi-lingual Theatre Festival Cuttack, Orissa (Karnnabharam, 1995 and Poranadi, 1996)
16. The national interuniversity Youth Festival Nagpur, Maharashtra (Rajavinte Chenda, 1994)
17. The national interuniversity Youth Festival Kurukshethra, Haryana (Karnnabharam, 1994)

with Sudhanva deshpande and Indira Parthasarathy • with Narendra Prasad and Bhishan Sahni

Publications

a. In English

1. Monthly Column in Scene4 – International Online journal on Theatre – since 2002
2. Open Correspondence with Chandradasan,and Lissa Tyler Renaud Thiyyam's "Uttar-Priyadarshi - the Acting Journal. March 2001(on line journal)
3. Dilemmas of a Contemporary Theatre Practitioner – Sangeeth Natak 2000.
4. In Conversation; G.Aravindan with Chandradasan – Malayalam Literary Survey; Literature and Film edited by Dr.V.C.Harrris, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Thrissur –2000.
5. Childrens theatre lacks a plan and perspective – In down memory lane edited by BMD.Agrawal, NIPA New Delhi 2000
6. Perspective on Acting in Traditional theatre of Kerala – Ceremony, Involvement and Communion in Folk and Classical forms” – The Literary Criterion 1993.
7. Big man, Small World – The Economics Times Bombay; 15 March 1992
8. Film maker as an Intuitive Artist; the Cinema of G.Aravindan – Deep Focus January 1989

b. In Malayalam

1. Indian Nataka Vedi Alkasikkappurathyekku – Keli, October 2003.
2. Brecht, Arangile aithihasika sanidyam – a study on Brecht in the book “three penny opera”; translation by Sherly Somasundaran, High tech books, Kochi, 2003.
3. Kuruthichorayude Thudithalam; Kavalathinte Poranadi, Enteyum. Granthalokam August 2002.
4. Kuruthichorayude Thudithalam; Kavalathinte Poranadi, Enteyum. Granthalokam August 2002.
5. Kanavinullile Marukanavu; Vadhu, Oranubhavakkurippu – Pachchakuthira , April 2002
6. Bharatheeya Rangaseelam, Chila Veendu Vicharangal; Adhava Arangile Jathi Sankalpam – Keli, August 1999
7. Chorayum Charayum Manakkunna Varthamanam, - a review on the collection of plays Varthamanam by Madhu master – Samakaleena Malayalam.
8. Oru samvidhayakante Kurippu – preface to Keeri Muricha Kannu, collection of plays by T.M.Abraham –Current Books1999
9. Nisargikathaykku Veli Kettaruthu – Yuvajanothsava Smruthi 98; Kerala State School Youth Festival Journal; edited by Pirappankodu Murali- June 98.
10. Aranginte Samakaleenatha – Bhashaposhini, February 1998
11. Raashtriya Cinimayude Ardhapoornima – Kalakoumidi 22 March 1992.
12. Aravindan: Velipadukalude Kavi.- Film magazine (serialized in 11 issues starting from july 89)
    Nokkukuthi, Sookshmathayude Sthoolamaya Aavishkaram – Kaani April 87.

c. Other writing projects
1. Editor, Nataka Bharathi 2000, in connection with the National Theatre Festival Ernakulam, Published by Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, Thrissur
2. Theatre in Kerala, with Strong and steady steps - (in Bengali Translation) – Sudrak Natyapatra 2000.

Translations

The following plays were translated into Malayalam from English:

1. Procession by Badal Sircar as Theruvu Jadha
2. Death Watch by Jean Genet
3. The Tempest by William Shakespeare as Chathan kattu
4. Macbeth By William Shakespeare
5. Panjarasala by B.V.Karath
6. Ubu Roi by Alfred Jarry as Ubu Maharaja

Presentations in National/International Seminars

1. “Regionalism, Nationalism and Internationalism in Theatre” – International seminar on theatre at Cochin University , February 2005
2. “Classical forms and Contemporary theatre” – workshop on classical performance for journalists at Tripunithura by International Centre for Koodiyattam, 2004.
3. “Indian Theatre – History, Culture and Politics” – National Seminar on Post independent Indian Theatre, School of Drama, Thrissur, 2004.
4. “Contemporary trends in Indian theatre” – International Seminar in ‘Innovations and experiments in Indian Theatre’ at Pondicheri organised by Thalai-k-kol September 2001.
5. “Tempest as a study on Colonialism” National theatre festival on Indian Shakespeare 2001 at Kasargod organised by Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy Trichur.
6. “Medea and the female reality” Workshop on Greek drama 2001 Cochin University, Kochi
7. “Dilemma of a contemporary theatre practitioner in India” in the National Seminar on “the state on Indian Drama “Sahitya Academy New Delhi - 2000
8. “Contemporary relevance of Bhasa plays” in the International Bhasa Mahotsav at Sopanam Trivandrum - 1996
9. “Perspective on Acting in Traditional theatre of Kerala – Ceremony, Involvement and Communion in Folk and Classical forms” in The international symposium on “Drama as a form of art; some global perspectives” held at Dhvanyaloka Mysore- December 1992
   

Workshops and collaborative work

1. Workshop on acting training with John Martin and Ralph Yarrow from UK at Lokadharmi 2004

2. Workshop on Voice for actors by Lissa Tyler Renaud from USA at Lokadharmi February 2005

3. Director of the 21 day production oriented workshop at Kamak School Tutucorin Tamil Nadu by RRC , National school of Drama Bangalore , 2005.

4. Workshop on Physical theatre with Patrick Vella and Clare Agius from Curtain raiser theatre group Malta, Europe at Changampuzha Park from 12 August to 15 august, 2002
5. A One-week Workshop for children 2002 at Edappally
6. A five day workshop on Chau and choreography with Pandit Gopal Prasad Dubey (Saraikkala Jharghand) 2002 at Ernakulam
7. A ten day workshop on Noh theatre with Emily Curtis (Australia) 2001,
8. A 10 day Childrens theatre workshop at Vazhakulam organised by Moovattupuzha block Panchayath, 2000
9. Workshop for children 2000 at Tripunithura;
10. An acting workshop with Tuire Hindikka and Pirkko Kurikka (Finland), 1999;
11. A workshop on acting in classical and contemporary theatre with Margi Madhu 1998;
12. The National theatre festival Tripunithura 1997 organised in collaboration with Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy.
13. A workshop on Mime with Gautam Majumdar (NSD) in 1997
14. The director of ‘Kali-Attam’ – a theatre workshop and Festival for college students at St.Albert’s College Ernakulam in 1996
15. A Workshop on masks in 1994
16. A ten day workshop held at Tripunithura with K.N. Panikker 1991
17. The director of the Theatre workshops for college students at Ernakulam 1987

Research projects

Is supervising and guiding research projects all sponsored by Department of Culture, Government of India

1. “The use of Masks in traditional theatre of Kerala and its potential in modern theatre” with V.R.Selvaraj
2. “Environmental creation in folk & contemporary theatre” with Raju Carman
3. “Documentation and analysis of the folklore, rituals and the culture of the Pulaya- a dalit community of central Kerala”, with Vijayan.P.M.

Awards received

1. Natya Bhushan award for outstanding contribution to Indian Theatre from National Theatre festival at Cuttack , Orissa 2004.

2. Chairman’s award for acting in the play Andha Yugam from National Multi Lingual Theatre festival at Cuttack , Orissa 2004

3. The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy award for theatre 2004

4. Award for best play in the folk narrative category from National theatre festival Hyderabad, 2002.
5. Best Director, and Best play awards from State Theatre Festival Trivandrum 1998
6. Best play award from National Multi-lingual Theater Festival Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh 1997
7. The National awards for best direction and best play Pataliputra Natya Mahotsava Patna, 1996 & 1998;
8. The National awards for best direction and best play in the 13th and 14th Multi-lingual Theatre Festivals at Cuttack 1995 & 96;
9. The Bir Kishore Ray Award 1996 for excellence in theatre activities by Utkal Yuva Samskritik Sangh Cuttack;
10. The Pataliputra National award for theatre 2000 for outstanding contributions from Pataliputra Natya Mahotsava Patna
11. Won best actor awards in All Kerala Intercollegiate Drama Festivals, in 1979 and 1981

Visits abroad

Visited Greece to participate in ‘the Circle of the south earth’ – an international festival on ancient Greek drama and performed the production of Medea in October 2001 and performed in the cities of Pelos, Kalamatta, and Athens.

Other Contributions

Resource person in various theatre workshops, seminars and refresher courses in School of Drama Trichur, Calicut University, Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam, Cochin University, etc.

Scripted a feature film Samvalsarangal (The Ages)
Also directed two documentaries and an adaptation of a play for Television

Still photography projects for many publications

Positions

FOUNDER and DIRECTOR OF LOKADHARMI, Kochi, a Centre for theatre training, research & performance - 1991 to present
FOUNDER and ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF MAZHAVILLU, Kochi, a Children’s Theatre Group - 2001 to present
Member to the advisory board of Centre For Creative Writing, Cochin University, Kochi
Currently working as Sr. Lecturer at St. Albert’s College, Ernakulam.

about us director productions photo gallery news board publications contact us

for further information, contact at info@lokadharmi.org
 All Contents © Copyright 2005,Lokadharmi, All rights reserved.
Designed by Shobha Menon, www.chaaya.com