At 95, playwright C L Jose reflects on a lifetime of using theatre as a mirror to society
“I believe that theatre should serve as a mirror that reflects society in total. Also, it should enlighten society on the evils that exist in it and help people transform”.
At 95, renowned playwright C L Jose’s view is further a reflection of the innumerable plays he has penned over the last 70 years he is completing this year. (1956-2026). A singular achievement, not many in the amateur theatre can claim.
Meghadwani highlighted the issues of drug addiction. Judiciary was the theme of Manalkkadu, health in Vishakkattu, abortion in Kannikkani and Ammakunju, mercy killing in Aambal poovinte aathma geetham
and sports in Chirakulla Nakshatram.
One wonders how a manager at a financial company in Thrissur could become an acclaimed playwright whose plays are still staged across the globe where there are Malayali associations.
“‘Visuddha Paapam’ (Holy Sin) staged by employees of Air India was the first Malayalam play to be presented in London 40 years ago. Malayalis in Germany followed. I was invited by the Malayali association in Kuwait to direct ‘Meghadwani’. In Dallas, Texas, I presided over the theatre conference organised by FOKANA
(Federation of Kerala Associations in North America)”, says Jose with pride.
A playwright shaped by society
Jose explains the humble beginnings that led him to the theatrical art: “At the age of 11, I was picked for the role of a labourer in a drama staged in the Lourdes School in Thrissur, my native town, in 1943.
Written and directed by our Rappai master, it highlighted the profiteering techniques of ration shopkeepers during World War II. Praise from Rappai Master and the staff catapulted me into theatre.
But that was the role of an actor. In school, his passion was short-story writing. But C L Jose turned a playwright because of necessity when the Kalasamithy, of which he was a member, was searching for a play to be staged in the anniversary celebrations. Unable to find a suitable one, his friends suggested, “Why don’t you try one;
after all you have published many short stories so far.
Consequently, `Maanam thelinju’ was the result, in 1956. The response to the play staged by the troupe was really
overwhelming. Soon followed the next one, ‘Jeevitham oru kodunkaattu ‘.
Now it was almost clear to C L Jose that theatre was his forte. The playwright in him was moulded by reading plays of S L Puram Sadanandan and also those of his contemporaries such as N.N. Pillai, K.T. Mohammed, Thoppil Bhasi and P.J. Antony. He made it a point to watch all these plays.
They haunted him for days on end. “This was the real training in theatre for me. And as for SL Puram, it was a proud moment for me when I was invited to unveil his portrait in the hall of fame of Kerala Sahithya Akademi”. But years later, when he was awarded ‘SL Puram Puraskaram’, the highest honour in theatre by the government of Kerala, Jose was in cloud 9.
It is interesting to know how a busy man like Jose in the financial company managed to write. He wrote only in night when everyone in his home was asleep. Perhaps it was unique.
A prolific literary journey honoured by theatre and academia alike
As he delved into the text, his characters appeared before him. The dialogues for each are scripted, taking into consideration his/her social, cultural and academic background. He himself articulated them many times to get the right punch before finalising them. Really this is a time-consuming process, so much so that a page could be completed only in an hour!
But eventually, when the script is completed, he could touch the psyche of the audience with the same intensity with which a topic had touched him.
And the output has been astounding. 36 full plays, 75 one-Act plays, his autobiography ‘Ormakalku urakkamilla’, Nataka Patanam et al. ‘Manalkkadu’, ‘Jwalanam’ and ‘Yugathrishna’ were prescribed as textbooks by universities in Kerala. His radio plays ‘Manalkkadu’ and ‘Agnivalayam’ were translated and broadcast by All India Radio in 14
regional languages.
Meanwhile, the film world took note of this talented playwright. Manalkaadu appeared as the film Ariyatha Veedhikal. The film Agninakshatram was his play of the same name. Bhoomiyile Malakha
was another film.
Small wonder, accolades chased him. Awards and fellowships from both Kerala Sahithya Akademi and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi –a rare honour. Recipients of this recognition are very few. Abu Dhabi
Sakthi Award for overall contribution to theatre. And to crown them all, the SL Puram award (2016), mentioned before, the highest honour from the government of Kerala.
A symbol of humility, he is a firm believer in Christ, and the Holy See conferred on him the title of Chevalier. Jose proved his organisational skills in the capacity of the Vice-Chairman and later as Chairman of
Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi.
