Curtain comes down on 16th International Theatre Festival of Kerala

The 16th International Theatre Festival of Kerala (ITFoK), organised by the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi on the theme ‘Voices of Silence,’ concluded in Thrissur on Sunday, once again underlining the city’s standing as Kerala’s cultural capital.

Held from January 25 to February 1, the eight-day festival featured 47 performances of 22 plays, including eight international productions and 14 national plays. Theatre groups from across the world and India presented diverse narratives, performance styles and theatrical traditions, drawing enthusiastic audience throughout the festival.

In addition to stage performances, the festival offered a rich range of parallel events, including dialogues, panel discussions, memorial sessions, documentary screenings, music programmes, and exhibitions of photographs, paintings and posters, adding multiple layers to the festival experience.

Tribal art forms were given special prominence in the cultural programmes. A highlight of this year’s festival was the percussion ensemble presented by students of Cherur St. Joseph’s Special School at the ITFoK venue, which received warm appreciation from the audience.

Student participation

Another notable feature was the participation of students selected from all 14 districts of Kerala, who attended ITFoK to watch and engage with theatre, reflecting the festival’s growing outreach and educational focus.

Marking a historic first in ITFoK’s journey, the play Romeo and Juliet, staged at the festival, was also performed before inmates at the Viyyur Central Jail, extending theatre beyond conventional spaces and reaffirming its social relevance.

The valedictory session was held on Sunday evening at the akademi courtyard and was inaugurated by festival curator Anamika Haksar. Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi chairperson Mattannur Sankarankutty presided over the function, while Thrissur Corporation Mayor Niji Justin attended as the chief guest. Akademi vice-chairperson Pushpavathi P.R. also addressed the gathering.

In her inaugural address at the valedictory session, Ms. Haksar said that art is not merely a form of entertainment, but a powerful intervention against injustice. She noted that ITFoK was born not out of comfort, but out of resistance, and that the past 16 editions of the festival has reflected the fighting spirit of people who refuse to be silenced.

Next edition

Akademi secretary Karivelloor Murali announced the dates for the next edition of ITFoK. ITFoK 2027 will be held from January 24 to January 31.

The festival concluded with the staging of A Scream in the Dark, a production from Brazil, at the Actor Murali Theatre, bringing the curtain down on an edition marked by diversity, inclusivity and cultural depth.