As stages rise and lights are tested at the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi in Thrissur, the city is preparing to listen — to stories whispered from the margins, to voices long pushed into silence. The 16th International Theatre Festival of Kerala (ITFoK) opens on January 25, promising eight days where theatre becomes 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 ground for global performance, dissent, and dialogue.
The festival will be inaugurated by Revenue Minister K. Rajan at the Akademi courtyard on January 25. Higher Education Minister Dr. R. Bindu will preside over. Renowned filmmaker Anand Patwardhan will attend as chief guest, with Gujarati playwright and filmmaker Dakxin Chhara and internationally acclaimed theatre artiste Maya Thangberg joining as special guests.
Akademi Chairperson Mattannur Sankarankutty said the festival’s theme, ‘Voices in This Silence’, reflects a conscious attempt to foreground the suppressed narratives of society through performance. “Theatre has always been a space where silence is broken and marginal voices find expression. This year’s ITFoK seeks to reclaim that role at a time when many realities are being pushed into silence,” he said.
The festival will feature 23 plays with 48 performances, including nine international productions from Argentina, Brazil, Armenia, Palestine, Slovakia, Spain, Japan, and Denmark. Fourteen Indian plays, including five from Kerala, will also be staged. In total, 246 theatre artistes, including 49 international participants, will perform across seven venues in Thrissur.
The opening play of the festival will be Frankenstein Project, an Argentinian production based on Mary Shelley’s classic novel, directed by Luciano Mansur. The play will be staged at the Akademi Black Box Theatre on January 25 and 26.
ITFoK Artistic Director Dr. Abhilash Pillai said the festival programming reflects a wide spectrum of aesthetic and political concerns. “From experimental forms to socially engaged narratives, the festival is designed to provoke thought and dialogue beyond the stage,” he noted.
Apart from performances, ITFoK will host daily ‘Face to Face’ interaction sessions, panel discussions and remembrance programmes at FAVOS theatre. Discussions will focus on themes such as marginalised communities, women’s labour spaces, political theatre and contemporary social realities.
Documentary film section
A major attraction this year is the curated documentary film section, open to the public free of charge. Screenings will be held every day at 5 p.m. from January 26 to January 31, at FAVOS. The section opens with Anand Patwardhan’s Vivek, followed by documentaries addressing caste discrimination, gender violence, minority rights, prison realities, and the social impact of art.
Akademi Secretary Karivallur Murali said the festival aims to broaden the cultural experience beyond theatre alone. “ITFoK is not just about watching plays. It is about conversations, visuals, memories and shared spaces. The documentary section, exhibitions and cultural evenings together create a living festival atmosphere,” he said.
Photo, poster and art exhibitions will be organised at the Akademi backyard, including a photo exhibition honouring legendary theatre personality Badal Sircar as part of his birth centenary. An exhibition of ITFoK posters designed by late designer Sashi Bhaskar will also be showcased. Theatre sketches by noted artistes Gopalan Adat, Vijesh K.V. and Sajeev Keezhariyur add another visual layer to the festival.
Every night, cultural programmes with a special focus on tribal art forms will be staged at the Akademi courtyard. Except for theatre performances, all events including discussions, documentaries, exhibitions, and cultural programmes are free to the public.
The renovated K.T. Muhammed Theatre will also be inaugurated during the opening ceremony, marking another milestone for the Akademi as ITFoK 2026 begins its journey of giving voice to silence.
Published – January 24, 2026 08:44 pm IST
