Playwright P M Antony passes away

ALAPPUZHA: P M Antony, 61, author of the controversial play ‘Christhuvinte aaram thirumurivu’, passed away at his residence in Pallikkathyil Kanjiramchira, near here, on Thursday.He has written a dozen plays. ‘Mandelakku snehapoorvam Winnie,’ a play written by Antony, fetched him the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award. He is survived by wife Gracy, sons Anil Azad and Ajith and daughter Anu. The funeral will be held at his house premises on Friday. His latest drama ‘American model Arabikkadalil’ was staged last month. He was working on the new drama ‘Saghav Stalin’. Antony’s play based on ‘Nikos Kazantazakis’ famous novel ‘The Last Temptation of Christ,’ stirred a hornet’s nest.The play presented Jesus Christ as a human being and not as the Son of God, which provoked the Roman Catholic Church. The Church lodged a complaint against him. The police prevented the rehearsal, confiscated the script and arrested Antony. Antony received bail from the District Magistrate’s Court and moved the High Court to lift the police ban. The play, however, was first performed on August 10, 1986, in Alappuzha. Later, after more protests, the play was completely banned in the state.