The plays by Kainikkara Padmanabha Pillai deal with ideals like patriotism and sacrifice, and present noble characters. The significant historical dramas include Velutampi Dalava in 1932 on the foremost local patriot who fought British imperialism in the nineteenth century, Swati Tirunal Maharaja in 1966 on the celebrated Kerala king, and Calvaryile kalpa-padapam or 'Calvary's Wish-fulfilling Tree' in 1935 on Christ's last days, acclaimed as Pillai's masterpiece. In this Kainikkara Padmanabha Pillai also enacted Christ. He elevated social themes to similar artistic height in Vidhimandapam i.e. 'Court of Judgment' in 1955 and Agnipanjaram or 'Skeleton of Fire' in 1962. Kainikkara Padmanabha Pillai undertook a study of theatre in the book Nataka-purnima or 'Theatre Complete'' in 1960, and also wrote novels. Kainikkara Padmanabha Pillai died in 1976. |