Kannur: Noted playwright Ibrahim Vengara has been presented with this year’s SL Puram Sadanandan Award of the state government. He hails from Vengara in Kannur district. He is a writer who portrayed his painful life experiences through plays.
Ibrahim Vengara ran away from his place at the age of 13, travelled across the country and engaged in various types of jobs. He rose to fame through radio dramas and developed a fan base through it.
He has penned over 50 radio dramas, 25 dramas and about 25 solo dramas. His first play ‘Aarthi’ won first prize in All Kerala Drama Competition held in 1965. He was imprisoned for writing the play ‘Bhoothavanam’ during Emergency.
Ibrahim Vengara’s major works include Valmeekam, Utharam, Ezhil Chovva, Upaharam, Padanilam, Malikaveedu, Rajasabha and Oru Ithihasa Kavyam. Some of his dramas were translated to 14 languages.
He is a recipient of Kerala Sahitya Akademi award and Akashavani Radio Drama Award and other honours. His autobiography and a drama titled ‘Rajasabha’ won Sahitya Akademi award. He has also acted in movies like ‘Thaliritta Kinakkal’, ‘Pakal’, ‘Veeraputhran’ and ‘Ekantham’.
