THOPPIL BHASI AWARD FOR ONV KURUP

THOPPIL BHASI AWARD FOR

ONV KURUP

The first Thoppil Bhasi award in memory of the renowned playwright has gone to eminent poet and Jnanpith award-winner O N V Kurup. The award, instituted by the Thoppil Bhasi foundation, comprises Rs 33,333, memento and citation, the foundation said in a press release here. Kurup has been selected for the award in recognition of his overall contributions to theatre with his songs.
Foundation Chairman Pannyan Raveendran and Secretary Vallikavu Mohan Das said in the release that the songs written by Kurup had played a key role in the dramas staged by Kerala People's Arts Society (KPAC), with which Thoppil Bhasi had a long association. The award would be presented at a function on December 8 in memory of Bhasi who died in 1992. Bhasi's 'Ningalenne Communistakki' (You made me a communist), a socio-political play in the 1950s, is said to have played a historical role in popularising the Communist movement in Kerala.

                                                                                                          Prof. John Kurakar