Professional Drama Fest from June 27

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: If you are a connoisseur of professional drama, then this one is for you. The ‘Adoor Bhasi Professional Drama Competition-2011’ will commence in the city on Monday and will be a sumptuous feast for the fans of professional theatre.It has been 21 years since comedy king Adoor Bhasi passed away. The fest is being organised by the Adoor Bhasi Cultural Forum in memory of the ‘Little Drama Group’ formed by the legend, 40 years ago, for children.Besides giving the citizens a golden opportunity to enjoy the plays staged by some of the best troupes in the state, the event will also see the presentation of one of the biggest prizes in drama history - Rs One lakh for the best play.The venue of the fest is VJT Hall. The selected seven plays are ‘Mayakazhcha’ (June 27), ‘Indraneelam’ (June 28), ‘Ramanan Oru Pranayagaatha’ (June 29), ‘Athijeevanakaatu’ (June 30), ‘Snehichutheerathavar’ (July 1), ‘Panicker and Panicker’ (July 2) and ‘Kannaki’ (July 3). The jury has actor Madhu as chairman and writer-actor B Harikumar, state drama award winner Sudarshanan and director C V Premkumar as members.Minister for Tribal Welfare and Youth Affairs P K Jayalakshmy will inaugurate the competition at 6.30 p.m. The inaugural ceremony will be followed by the staging of ‘Mayakazhcha’. On other days, the plays will be staged at 6.30 p.m. The Adoor Bhasi Award Nite-2011 will be held on July 5 at 6 p.m. during which the television and drama awards will be given away. Entry is free for the drama fest.