Manju Warrier to foray into Sanskrit theatre

Malayalam actress and known classical dancer Manju Warrier is set to foray into the world of theatre by enacting the iconic character of Shakuntala in the Sanskrit play "Abhijnana Shakuntalam".
Her venture, Manju Warrier Productions, is producing "Abhijnana Shakuntalam" as a tribute to the theatre doyen Kavalam Narayana Panicker, who passed away here last month.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the play at the Tagore Theatre here on July 18 in the presence of the Minster for Cultural Affairs A K Balan.
Announcing the inauguration of the play, Manju said, it was Kavalam's wish to bring the 'Abhijnana Shakuntalam' to the stage.

"I had the good fortune to associate with Kavalam Sir during the last phase of his legendary life when he trained me for Abhijnana Shakuntalam," she told reporters here.
"After his death, his family and I decided to fulfil his wish and to stage the play as he wanted it as our tribute," the actress said.

Sopanam Institute of Performing Arts and Research, founded by Kavalam, would be staging the play and cultural organisation 'Swaralaya' would host the programme, she said.
The play, like the other Sanskrit productions of Kavalam, presents the twin opportunity to take part in the experiments in modern Malayalam theatre and also to reach out to the youth to instill an interest in Sanskrit and ancient Indian culture, she said.

Kalyani Krishnan, Kavalam's granddaughter and secretary of Sopanam said his legacy in the theatre and in performing arts would be carried forward.
"We have been producing Sanskrit plays since 1978. It is our privilege that Manju Warrier is with us in our effort to continue with the experiments in theatre and celebration of art that my grandfather has started," she said.
Panicker, who successfully blended the classical tradition and folk elements in the format of contemporary theatre, passed away here on June 26 at the age of 88.