As the stage rises and the lights are tested at the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi in Thrissur, the city prepares to listen – to stories whispered from the margins, to voices long silenced. The 16th International Theater Festival of Kerala (ITFoK) kicks off on January 25 and promises eight days where theater will be both an artistic celebration and a political act. With productions from nine countries and across India, the festival once again positions Kerala as a vital meeting place for global performance, dissent and dialogue.
The festival will be inaugurated by Revenue Minister K. Rajan at the Academy courtyard on January 25. It will be chaired by the Minister of Higher Education, Dr. R. Bindu. Renowned filmmaker Anand Patwardhan will be the chief guest, with Gujarati playwright and filmmaker Dakxin Chhara and internationally renowned theater artist Maya Thangberg joining as special guests.
Academy chairman Mattannur Sankarankutty said the festival’s theme ‘Voices in This Silence’ reflects a conscious attempt to bring society’s suppressed narratives to the fore through performance. “Theater has always been a space where silence is broken and marginalized voices are expressed. This year’s ITFoK seeks to reclaim that role at a time when many realities are silenced,” he said.
The festival will present 23 plays with 48 performances, including nine international productions from Argentina, Brazil, Armenia, Palestine, Slovakia, Spain, Japan and Denmark. Fourteen Indian games, including five from Kerala, will also be featured. A total of 246 theater artists, including 49 international participants, will perform at seven venues in Thrissur.
The opening play of the festival will be Frankenstein Project, an Argentine production based on the classic novel by Mary Shelley, directed by Lucian Mansur. The play will be performed at the Akademi Black Box Theater on January 25 and 26.
ITFoK artistic director Dr. Abhilash Pillai said the festival’s program reflected a broad spectrum of aesthetic and political interests. “From experimental forms to socially engaged storytelling, the festival is designed to provoke thought and dialogue beyond the stage,” he noted.
In addition to the performances, ITFoK will host daily “Face to Face” interactive sessions, panel discussions and commemorative programs at the FAVOS Theatre. Discussions will focus on topics such as marginalized communities, women’s workspaces, political theater and contemporary social realities.
Documentary section
A big attraction this year is the curated section of documentary films, open to the public for free. Screenings will take place every day at 5pm from January 26th to January 31st at FAVOS. Anand Patwardhan’s film Vivek opens the section, followed by documentaries dealing with caste discrimination, gender violence, minority rights, prison realities and the social impact of art.
Academy secretary Karivallur Murali said the festival aims to extend the cultural experience beyond the theater itself. “ITFoK is not just about watching plays. It’s about conversations, visuals, memories and shared spaces. Documentary sections, exhibitions and cultural evenings come together to create a vibrant festival atmosphere,” he said.
Exhibitions of photographs, posters and art will be organized in the courtyard of the Academy, including a photo exhibition in tribute to legendary theater personality Badal Sircar as part of his birth centenary. It will also feature an exhibition of ITFoK posters designed by the late designer Sashi Bhaskar. Sketch theater by eminent artists Gopalan Adat, Vijesh KV and Sajeev Keezhariyur add another visual layer to the festival.
Cultural programs with a special focus on tribal art forms will be held in the Academy courtyard every evening. Apart from theater performances, all events including discussions, documentaries, exhibitions and cultural programs are free to the public.
The renovated KT Muhammed Theater will also be inaugurated during the grand opening, marking another milestone for the Academy as ITFoK 2026 begins its journey to give voice to the silence.
Published – 24 Jan 2026 20:44 IST
