Lokadharmi Nadakaveedu Kochi, A place for theater or Drama performance and research center in India

Lokadharmi

Lokadharmi is a center for theatre training, research, and performance, established in 1991 by a collective of theatre enthusiasts in Kochi, Kerala, India. Over the years, Lokadharmi has grown into a vibrant community of more than 500 artists from different parts of Kerala who share a passion for theatre

Lokadharmi Nadakaveedu

A theatre known for its plays and related activities on a national and international level

Lokadharmi Celebrated its 26th Annual Day and World Theatre Day 2023 on March 26th

The event was inaugurated by the Honorable Minister Saji Cheriyan, and K.N Unnikrishnan MLA launched the new website. The event was graced by other dignitaries such as E.P Rajagopalan and Dr. KG Poulose. During the event, the book ‘Rangavatarathinte rasashathram’ written by Dr Chandradasan, Founder and Artistic Director of Lokadharmi, was published by Prof M.K Saanu, and Director, actor, and writer Madhupal received the book from Prof MK Sanu. Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Secretary Karivellur Murali delivered the keynote address and noted playwright and director TM Abraham delivered the World Theatre Day message. Dr. Sajitha Madathil introduced the published book.

The award winners of the year were honored during the event. Kalamandalam Prabhakaran, who received this year’s Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Puraskar, Patanam Rasheed, who received this year’s Kerala Sahitya Akademi award, and Sajitha Madathil, who received a doctorate in theatre, were honored. The event concluded with a performance of the drama Boat Boy’ by Team Mazhawil, written and directed by Dr. Chandradasan.

Latest Publications

On March 27th, 2021, Lokadharmi, on World Theatre Day, announced the launching of Lokadharmi Publishing House which is completely dedicated to publishing of books and research works related to theatre, performance art forms, original plays, aesthetic, and cultural studies in English and in Malayalam, in physical and electronic formats. We have published two books. Myriad Spaces, Indian Theatre and Beyond which is edited by Dr. Chandradasan, and Ramgavatharanathinte Rasasastram, A collection of articles on performance studies written by Chandradasan

THE BOAT BOY

The story of Baji Rout, the youngest martyr in India’s freedom struggle

Direction, Text & Design: Dr Chandra Dasan

Current Plays

Karnnabharam
കര്‍ണ്ണഭാരം

This play projects the mortal anguish of a man unsure of his identity. Karnna the protagonist is heroic and heartbroken…  Read

The Boat Boy
ദി ബോട്ട് ബോയ്‌

The production of a children’s play based on the life of the youngest martyr in the freedom struggle can instill a sense of involvement for…   Read

Portrait / Artifice
ഛായാചിത്രം /മായാചിത്രം

As the name of the play suggests the play is about the portrait of a woman which transcends as a portrait of illusion…  Read

SHAAKUNTALAM
THE TALE OF THE HUNT

Direction, Text, Design & Dramaturgy: Dr Chandra Dasan

Shaakuntalam – the Tale of the Hunt

ശാകുന്തളം – ഒരു നായാട്ടു കഥ

This is an eco-feminist adaptation of the Sanskrit classic by Kalidasa The whole process of this production was initiated from the query, why Shakuntalam now? The performance takes a leap from the torturing summer of the present day to the tranquil summer as depicted by Kalidasa. This performance probes the plot with an eco-feministic sensibility and hence the story of the signet ring, the curse of Durvasa and the reunion in Acts 6 and 7 are deemphasized so as to highlight the relationship between Shakuntala and Dushyanta. The hunt itself becomes a metaphor with myriad connotations..Read

The Kaali Drama
കാളി നാടകം

The main narrative structure of the play is based on the ritual of Kali Naadakam, where the Goddess kills the Demon and restores order and… Read

World Renowned Nose
വിശ്വവിഖ്യാതമായ മൂക്ക്

Something very strange happens to a man on his 24th birthday. His nose starts to grow! Day by day, it continues to grow in length until finally,.. Read

Egle & Cleopatra
ആഗ്ലെയും ക്ലിയോപാട്രയും

This, is a one-actor performance inspired by the folk myth of Egle from Lithuania and William Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra… Read

“All the world’s a stage,
and all the men and women merely players”

By: William Shakespeare

Events and Updates

Kalamandalam Sarath, aka Sarath SVS is selected for the Senior Scholarship for young artists by the CCRT, Dept of Culture, Govt of India.

He is the only artist selected for this scholarship in Theatre from Kerala, for the year 2020-21. The two-year scholarship is for advanced training in acting with Chandradasan as the mentor at Lokadharmi, focusing on Acting in Physical Theatre. And he is the 14th actor from Lokadharmi to get this scholarship. Sarath is working with Lokadharmi for the last 7 years. He did his training in acting from Lokadharmi, and he is also a postgraduate of Kathakali. Now he is working as an actor and actor trainer in Lokadharmi. He has acted in the plays, Shakuntalam Oru Nayattu Kadha, Karnnabharam and Kaali Naadakam.

Congratulations

News: Public Media

A Den for Drama:

Lokadharmi Nadakaveedu

Indian Express

Berny and son lift Kochi’s musical spirit with a Hindustani line-up

Manorama

A Grand Play at Work

Indian Express

Season of culture festivals awaits residents of Kochi

Times Of India

KAALI NAADAKAM

International Theatre Festival of India

Bharat Rang Mahotsav-
National School of Drama

Lokadharmi: A Lifelong Dream

The Kochi Post

Love, lust and longing-
Dr. Chandradasan’s SHAKUNTALAM

The Hindu

Who said theatre is dead?

Times Of India

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