The essence of a legendary playwright

Saheer Ali was just about eight years when the multifaceted P.J. Antony died penniless.

Hailing from Edappally, home also to the legendary poet Changampuzha Krishnapillai and Antony, Ali, like multitudes of theatre lovers, was launched into the versatile theatre personality’s wide-ranging repertoire by Antony’s famous play, “Socrates”.

Scripted the play

Led by Antony’s close associate Kariyapilly Muhammed, CPI(M) leaders M.M. Lawrence and C.M. Dinesh Mani and with support from Antony’s family, Ali went on to script the play, ‘Nishedhiyude Kathal’[The Essence of a Rebel] which debuted on stage at Ernakulam in 2007.

The play, written as a journey into the life and art of the communist that Antony had been, has now been published as a book with a foreword by Antony’s spouse, Mary, who had shared the stage with him.

Seldom do people know that Antony had served the pre-Independence Indian Navy, the Royal Indian Navy as it was called, and was dismissed from service for taking part in the naval mutiny in solidarity with the Independence movement.

It was Changampuzha who advised him to meet Kesari Balakrishna Pillai for guidance on writing plays.

Kesari asked him to “break rules to pave the way for fresh art” — something that he had wished to do always.

References to, and situations from, Antony’s iconic plays like ‘Inquilabinte Makkal,’ — especially the commotion created by the police that sought to interrupt the debut staging of the play organised by K.P.R Gopalan at Kannur — and his critical role in the protest against the firing at Mattancherry enliven the play.

The play gives a glimpse into the personal life of Antony, his marriage; his unflinching commitment to society as reflected in his socially committed theatre and writings; and sets right the record about his love for the damned bottle.

P. J. Antony had served the Royal Indian Navy and was dismissed from service for taking part in a mutiny.