T. M. Abraham

TM ABRAHAM at dcbookfest kochi 2012

Thottathimyalil Mathew Abraham (born 1 June 1949) is an Indian theatre director and playwright. He is currently the Vice Chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy.^[1]

Early life and education

Abraham was born at Neyyassery village in Thodupuzha, Idukki district of Kerala in a Syrian Catholic Christian family to Ouseph Mathew Thottathimyalil and Aleykutty Mathew. He was the second son among the 11 children in the family. Abraham did his primary education from St. Sebastian School, Neyyassery, Thodupuzha. He took his graduation from the University of Kerala. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations.

Professional career

TM Abraham at dcbookfest kochi 2012

Abraham joined Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd (FACT), at the age of 21, as a chemist and was the Manager of Public Relations at the time of his retirement in 2004. He was also a nominated member of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi and Kerala Kalamandalam during 1995-1998. He was an executive member of the Samasta Kerala Sahitya Parishad. Abraham also served as the Secretary of the Indian Society of Authors, Kerala Chapter during 2002-2004. Currently he is the Secretary of Cochin Theatre Group, a drama group based in Kochi. He is also the Vice Chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy.

Books published

A renowned playwright and theatre director, Abraham has published 14 books in Malayalam in various categories, including novel, drama, monograph, and translations.

Novel

• Ulpatthi
• Shantigiri

One act plays

• Perunthachan
• Nashtapetta Chirakukal
• Athbuthanganam
• Pravukal Ippol Karayunnila
• Keeri Muricha Kannu
• Rakthabali
• Kozhutha Kalakutty

Drama

• Nizhal koodaram
• Ekakikaluda Thazhvara

Theatre Books

• Abhinaya Paatangal
• Theatre Games Kuttikalkku

Translations

• Vadhu – Malayalam translation of H.S. Shivaprakash’s Kannada play.
• Jesus CEO – Malayalam translation of Jesus CEO by Laurie Beth Jones
• The Path – Malayalam translation of The Path by Laurie Beth Jones
• Yesukristhuvinte Suvishesham – Malayalam translation of Nobel laureate Jose Saramago’s Portuguese novel.
• Caligula – Malayalam translation of Nobel laureate Albert Camus’s play.

He has also written a monograph on Malayalam playwright N. N. Pillai. His play Rakthabali was translated into Bengali and was published in the special issue of the Bengali Theatre Journal ‘Shoodrak’ in the year 2000. Nashtapetta Chirakukal was translated into Hindi.

Awards and recognitions

• First prize in the all Kerala Professional Drama competition conducted by the Government of Kerala in 1980, for the play Aham Aham.
• Best Director Award in the all Kerala Professional Drama competition conducted by the Government of Kerala in 1980.
• Kerala Sahitya Akademy Award in 1981 for the play collection Perunthachan.
• Sangeeta Nataka Akademi award in 1993 for the best playwright.
• K.C.B.C. Literary Award in 1994, for the one act play Pravukal Eppol Karayunnilla.
• V. T. Bhattathiripad award for the play collection Keerimuricha Kannu in 2001.
• Senior Fellowship by Government of India, Department of Culture, in 2004.
• Kala Ratna Award by Kalasadan Thrissur, for his contributions to the Malayalam Theatre, in 2010.
• Abu Dhabhi Malayalee Samajam Award for his contributions to the Malayalam Theatre, in 2010 .

Plays directed

• Perunthachan, 1976
• Atphutanganam, 1978
• Aham Aham, 1980
• Nashtapetta Chirakukal, 1982
• Pavakoothu, 1984
• Pravukal Ippol Karayunnilla, 1985
• Yayati, 1988
• Swapana Bhavanam, 1992
• Caligula, 1993 (Original play by Albert Camus translated into Malayalam.)
• The Queen and the Rebels, 1995 (Original play by Ugo Betti translated into Malayalam.)
• Thuglaq, 2002 (Original Kannada play by Girish Karnad translated into Malayalam.)
• Antigone, 2003 (Original French play by Jean Anouilh translated into Malayalam.)
• Madhavi, 2004 (Original Hindi play by Bhisham Sahni translated into Malayalam.)
• Madhivi, 2005 (Madhavi was presented at the 7th Bharath Rang Mahotsav, at New Delhi on 18 January 2005. Thee Festival was conducted by the National School of Drama, New Delhi.
• Oedipus, 2005 (Original Greek play by Sophocles translated into Malayalam.)
• Waiting for Godot, 2006 (Original French play by Samuel Beckett translated into Malayalam.)
• Prathibimbam, 2007 (Original Marathi play by Mahesh Elkunchwar translated into Malayalam.)

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to T. M. Abraham.

• http://www.a1books.co.in/rakthabali/itemdetail/8124011729/
• http://krazykochi.blogspot.com/2007/01/whats-in-reflection.html
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• http://www.puzha.com/malayalam/bookstore/cgi-bin/book-wishlist.cgi?member=16201