Thiruvananthapuram-based Nireeksha Women’s Theatre group develops short stories by nine Malayalam women writers as radio plays

The drama series is an initiative for She Radio on Radio Malayalam, the online radio of Malayalam Mission, Government of Kerala

When the pandemic brought the curtain down on live theatre performances, audio dramas became popular. Radio Malayalam, an online radio station of Malayalam Mission, a project of the Government of Kerala to promote Malayalam language and culture, also joined the bandwagon.

Under the Mission’s initiative, Nireeksha Women’s Theatre group, Thiruvananthapuram, developed short stories penned by nine noted women Malayalam writers into radio plays. Tune in to the plays on the channel’s She Radio, which was begun as part of Samam, ‘a social education programme for gender equality in Kerala’ started by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala.

While two plays have already been aired — Prathikara Devatha by Lalithambika Antharjanam and Maappu by Rajalakshmi — the third one, Pakshiyude Manam, by Madhavikutty/Kamala Das is being aired through this week. Other authors in the list are Sara Thomas, P Valsala, Gracy, Sara Joseph, BM Suhara and Ashitha.