Kavalam Naryana Panicker and his theatre institute Sopanam in Thiruvanathapuram in Kerala, graced many a theatre festival with their Sanskrit plays performed in the classical tradition, among them, SHAKUNTHALAM and KARNABHARAM. The poet, lyricist and master director was a force to reckon with. He had evolved his independent style of theatre by blending folk as well as the classical streams in Malyalam theatre. He is a recipient of several awards, including the Padma Bhushan. He had been unwell for a while and died at his home in Thiruvanathapuram on 26th June 2016. He was 88 years old. -