Thrissur Corporation Mayor Niji Justin shares a light moment with theater personality and Kerala International Theater Festival curator Anamika Haksar at a function meeting in Thrissur on Sunday. Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi chairman Mattannur Sankarankutty is seen nearby. | Photo credit: KK NAJEEB
The 16th International Theater Festival of Kerala (ITFoK), organized by the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi on the theme ‘Voices of Silence’, concluded in Thrissur on Sunday, reiterating the city’s status as the cultural capital of Kerala.
The eight-day festival, held from January 25 to February 1, presented 47 performances of 22 plays, including eight international productions and 14 national plays. Theater groups from around the world and India showcased diverse narratives, acting styles and theater traditions, drawing enthusiastic audiences throughout the festival.
In addition to the stage performances, the festival offered a rich range of parallel events, including dialogues, panel discussions, commemorative sessions, documentary screenings, musical programs and exhibitions of photographs, paintings and posters, adding multiple layers to the festival experience.
Tribal art forms were given special attention in the cultural programmes. The highlight of this year’s festival was an ensemble of percussion instruments performed by students of the Cherur St. Special School. Joseph at the ITFoK premises, which received warm appreciation from the audience.
Student participation
Another notable feature was the participation of students drawn from all 14 districts of Kerala who attended ITFoK to watch and engage with theatre, reflecting the festival’s growing reach and educational focus.
Presented at the festival, the play Romeo and Juliet was the first ever ITFoK tour and was also performed in front of the inmates of Viyyur Central Jail, expanding theater beyond conventional spaces and reaffirming its social relevance.
The valedictory session was held on Sunday evening at the academy courtyard and was inaugurated by festival curator Anamika Haksar. Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Chairman Mattannur Sankarankutty presided over the event while Thrissur Corporation Mayor Niji Justin attended as the chief guest. Akademi Vice Chairman Pushpavathi PR also addressed the gathering.
In her inaugural speech at the valedictory session, Ms. Haksar said that art is not only a form of entertainment but a powerful intervention against injustice. She noted that ITFoK was not born out of convenience, but out of resistance, and that the last 16 years of the festival reflect the fighting spirit of people who refuse to be silenced.
Next edition
Secretary Akademi Karivelloor Murali announced the dates of the next edition of ITFoK. ITFoK 2027 will be held from January 24th to January 31st.
The festival closed with Scream in the Dark, a production from Brazil, at the Actor Murali Theatre, bringing down the curtain on an edition characterized by diversity, inclusiveness and cultural depth.
Published – 01 Feb 2026 21:02 IST