Washington, DC: Maneeshi National School of Drama, USA celebrated its third drama festival in the capital area on Sunday, May 26, 2013, at Thomas Pyle Middle School in Bethesda, MD. Maneeshi is a group formed by Kerala expatriates living in the United States to encourage theater art.
The highlight of the festival was a drama competition featuring six short Malayalam dramas from the East Coast, presenting an amalgam of themes and styles.
The competition that started around 2:00pm went on until 8:00pm when the prizes were distributed. The competition was judged by three well-known figures in the Kerala community, Dr MV Pillai from Philadelphia, Dr Mohan Viswanathan from Washington, DC, and Siby David from New York.
The Maneeshi-HealthCare STAT Ever Rolling Trophy for Best Drama went to "Oru Desham Nuna Parayunnu," by Naattukoottam Theaters, NJ, directed by Devassy Palatty. Second Prize for Best Drama, the Maneeshi-Madras Palace Award, was won by "Deivathinte Swantham Nadu," from Washington DC, directed by Hari Nambiar. Third prize in the category went to "Hol Enna Pakshi," by Navabhavana, Philadelphia.
The Maneeshi-eMalayalalee Award for Best Director went to Devassy Palatty for "Oru Desham Nuna Parayunnu." Second prize, the Maneeshi-MAAM Award, went to Hari Nambiar, for "Deivathinte Swantham Nadu." Maneeshi-Malayalam Pathram Award for Best Actor was given to Devassy Palatty, for his role in "Oru Desham Nuna Parayunnu." Gigi Tom grabbed the Maneeshi-Kerala Express Award for Best Actress in "Deivathinte Swantham Nadu."
Following are the remaining prizes awarded at the closing function:
Maneeshi-Travelnet Award: Best Actor, Second Prize: George Oalickal, "Hol Enna Pakshi"
Maneeshi Award for Best Actor, Third Prize: Bala Chandran "Deivathinte Swantham Nadu"
Maneeshi-Worldwide Travel Award for Best Actress, Second Prize: Anjali Francis, "Oru Desham Nuna Parayunnu"
Maneeshi Award for Best Actress, Third Prize: Karthika Haridas, "Deivathinte Swantham Nadu"
Maneeshi-Malayalam Vartha Award for Best Playwright: A. Shanthakumar, "Oru Desham Nuna Parayunnu"
Maneeshi-MetLife Award for Best Comedian: Vjay, "Amma Manassu," Washington DC
Maneeshi-Aditi Award for Best Theater Effects: "Oru Desham Nuna Parayunnu"
Maneeshi-Kairali of Baltimore Award for Best Music: "Neethimante Raktham," Thalalayam, Long Island NY
Maneeshi-KAGW Award for Best Costume: "Neethimante Raktham"
Maneeshi-KCSMW Award for Best Makeup: Sunil Lamannil, "Hol Enna Pakshi"
Maneeshi Award for Best Experimental Effort: "Charithram Ezhuthapedumbol," Washington DC
Representing all three judges, Dr MV Pillai told the audience that those who participated did it for the love of the art, for their self-fulfillment, and awards are only byproducts. The selections reflected contemporary theater in Malayalam, but comedy, for some reason, was absent because all the six dramas ended in tragic notes, he added. Dr Pillai hoped that writers and directors in future may consider the lighter side of life as well. The participation of youngsters and their winning is a sign of how the Maneeshi stage is being handed over and accepted by the next generation, Dr Pillai said while announcing the name of Karthika Haridas, an eleventh grader, for the third prize in female actor category.
Maneeshi's Third National Drama Festival was led by this year's chairpersons Shahi Prabhakaran, Thomas Jose and Bala Chandran. The area's four Malayali community organizations coordinated the event. Those were represented by Manoj Sreenilayam (KAGW), Gopakumar Nair (KCSMW), Joseph Pothen (MAAM) and Anil Alousyes (Kairali). Maneeshi's current board of directors are George Oalikal, Sibichan Chemplayil and George Nadavayal.