Karunagappally Krishnankutty
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| Karunagappally Krishnankutty in 2026 | |
| Born | 05 September 1946 (age 79) Karunagappally, Kerala, India |
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| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Playwright, Theater Director Filmmaker Social Activist |
| Years active | 1960–present |
| Known for | Malayalam theater, street plays, social awareness campaigns |
| Notable works | Manjal Prasadam, Idathu Valathu Thirinj, Kaalam Paranja Kadha: City Traffic |
| Awards | Gandhi Bhavan Kala Puraskaram, Thikkurissy Foundation Award (2007), Rishi Raj Singh Award |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Parents | |
| Religion | |
| Website | IMDB |
Karunagappally Krishnankutty is a Indian theater director, playwright, and filmmaker. With a career spanning over six decades, he has authored 63 professional stage plays and over 350 radio dramas. He is the founder of Kollam Aswathy Bhavana and Nadagashaala, organizations dedicated to the promotion of cultural arts in Kerala. He holds a record in Kerala theater for the play Manjal Prasadam, which completed 275 stages in a single year His latest venture, Kaalam Paranja Kadha: City Traffic, highlights his multifaceted role as a writer and producer in the Malayalam film industry. He is recognized for his contributions to Malayalam theater and his work in social-awareness street plays.[1]
Early Life & Education
Karunagappally Krishnankutty was born on 5 September 1946 in Karunagapally, Kerala. He hails from a family of parents Madhavan and Naniyammal. He started his service in the education sector as a school teacher and remained in the occupation for 33 years as Head Master till 2002. From a young age, there was an inclination towards doing the performings arts. He had an active role in areas such as make-up artwork, direction of children plays, and training of students in classical forms of artwork such as Kadha Prasangam, mono-acts, and mimicry.
Career
From early in his life, Karunagappally Krishnankutty dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the cause of Malayalam drama, enjoying over a decade of growth, innovation, and active participation at the grassroots level in cultural activities. Early initiation into stage acting and direction at the beginning of his life laid the foundation for lifelong dedication to theatre.
He is the founder of the drama troupe Kollam Aswathy Bhavana. During his lifetime, he has written 63 professional dramas and 59 stage plays. With these, he was placed as one of the most prolific contributors to Malayalam theater.
One of the major productions was Manjal Prasadam, by Changanassery Natarajan and Kootiyadathu Vilasini, which completed a rare 275 performances in one year. It is an important event in Kerala theater history.
During his professional lifetime, Krishnankutty has worked with many legendary Malayalam artists, including:
- Adoor Bhavani
- Adoor Pankajam
- Aravindaksha Menon
- Changanassery Natarajan
Social Works
In addition to his theatrical background, Karunagappally Krishnankutty has extended his services into the domain of social reform through performing arts as well. From the year 2000 onwards, he has been actively involved with the state and center governments, utilizing street theater as a successful tool for dealing with important social concerns.
His social related performances have been based on concepts like alcoholism, drug addiction, and social inequality. he had organize solo awareness campaigns in some 720 schools in Kerala in 2010 that mainly focused on educating school students about drug addiction and how to behave properly in society.
Filmography
- Idathu Valathu Thirinj (2020) – Filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic in support of the theater artists who struggled released on three OTT platforms.
- Kaalam Paranja Kadha: City Traffic (2026) - written, produced, and feature film directed by Krishnankutty.[2]
Nadagashaala and Philanthropy
Krishnankutty established a cultural institution in Karunagappally, Nadagashaala, with an air-conditioned auditorium with a capacity of 150. The institution imparts training in:
- Chenda Melam (including an all-woman troupe)
- Classical music and dance
- Instrumental music
For the past seven years, he also led a monthly philanthropic effort to feed and provide basic care to bedridden patients and impoverished artists.
Literary Works
He publishes a monthly cultural magazine, now in its 62nd edition, with about 3,000 printed copies, aside from the digital PDF version that enjoys wide access.
Notable Works
Karunagappally Krishnankutty’s literary contributions including films, plays, and street plays. His most acclaimed play was Manjal Prasadam, has remained a milestone in Malayalam theater, with an unprecedented number of theatrical performances. He directed the social-oriented movie which is Idathu Valathu Thirinj in 2020, an effort to promote theater artists in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. He released his Kaalam Paranja Kadha: City Traffic in the year 2026, with the script, production, and direction undertaken by himself, an attempt to revive the theater world through his creative output. During his prolific cinematic and theatrical career, he has written 63 professional dramas and 59 stage plays; most of them revolve around critical social and cultural issues and concerns in society. He has also designed and staged street plays of massive proportions related to anti-drug abuse and social reform in society, thus greatly influencing public awareness through performance art.
Achievements and Recognition
- Gandhi Bhavan Kala Puraskaram (Presented by filmmaker Sibi Malayil)
- Thikkurissy Foundation Award (2007)
- Rishi Raj Singh Award (For social awareness through arts)
External Links
See also
- [[]]
References
- ↑ ഗാന്ധി ഭവൻ കലാപുരസ്കാരം…. കരുനാഗപ്പള്ളി കൃഷ്ണൻ കുട്ടിയ്ക്ക് ലഭിച്ചു… . In Karunagappally.com (18 July 2021) . Retrieved 13 January 2026
- ↑ ‘Kalam Paranja Katha City Traffic’ Malayalam movie: cast, crew and production details . In Anweshanam.com (13 June 2025) . Retrieved 13 January 2026