It was a rare treat to music buffs in Thiruvananthapuram to listen to the evergreen rustic songs of the Kerala People's Arts Club (KPAC) that had played a significant role in the social awakening of Kerala in the fifties. Songs such as `Ee mannil veena ninte…,' ‘Ponnarival amibiliyil…' and `Neeram mangiya nerathu…' were sung to the accompaniment of the tabla and the harmonium by a host of singers led by Kallara Gopan, V.Sreeram, V.Rajeevan and Shilpa.
The occasion was a programme to pay homage to G. Janardhana Kurup, one of the founders of KPAC, the theatre troupe that evolved as the cultural ambassador of the progressive movement. The event was organised under the auspices of the Devarajan Master Foundation headed by veteran poet ONV.Kurup.
Compatriots of Janardhana Kurup reminisced his boldness in taking ahead the movement led by KPAC, braving the stiff resistance put up the very system it challenged.
According to ONV Kurup, who played a pivotal role in setting up the KPAC along with G. Devarajan, K.S.Rajamony and Punalur Rajagopalan Nair, “Janardhana Kurup was a unique personality with inimitable grit.”
An actor and legal luminary, Janardhana Kurup, essayed the role of Valiyaveetil Kesava Pillai in the landmark play ‘Ningalenne Communistakki.'
Playwright Pirappancode Murali recollected Janaradhana Kurup's close association with Changampuzha Krishna Pillai.
