The Varnakkuda cultural festival will be held from December 26 to 30 at the Municipal Ground in Irinjalakuda, Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice R. Bindu has said.
The event will bring together a stellar line-up of acclaimed artistes from across south India. As part of the festival, the first-ever Innocent Memorial Award will be presented to actor Tovino Thomas, while the P. Jayachandran Memorial Award will be conferred on playback singer Harishankar. Writer Anand will be honoured with a special people’s tribute, recognising the love and affection of the community.
The awards will be presented in connection with this year’s art and cultural programmes, the Minister said.
Programmes
The festival will begin on December 26 with a Mridanga Mela presented by the Korumb Mridanga Kalari. The five-day event will feature a rich and diverse array of performances, including a dance ballet ‘Ente Keralam’ by the Kerala Kalamandalam; a music programme led by Indulekha Warrier; a Ragasa band music evening; a dance performance by actor Asha Sharath; a music concert by playback singer Pushpavathy; a music folk band performance by playback singer and folk artist Athul Narukara and team; performance of the Bengali folk art form Purulia Chhau; a ghazal evening by singer Shahabas Aman; a Manipuri dance performance; music night by the Thamarassery Churam band; Kathakku Nritham by Sharanya Sahasra; performances by local artistes; and cultural programmes by students from various schools and colleges.
Published – December 23, 2025 08:47 pm IST
