The 14th edition of the eight-day International Theatre Festival of Kerala (ITFoK) 2024, which experienced many refreshing theatre experiments and in-depth discussions concluded here on Friday.
Revenue Minister K. Rajan addressed the valedictory session. Chirayankeezhu Dr. G. Gangadharan Nair Memorial Award, an accolade that recognises stalwarts in the realm of amateur theatre artistes, was presented to theatre director Samkutty Pattomkary, marking a testament to his significant contributions to the theatrical landscape.
As many as 23 plays, including eight international plays, were performed at the festival, conducted with a theme of ensemble, peace, and confidence. The plays were selected from 68 international and 240 Indian plays. Music performances added more colour to the festival.
Theatre groups from Brazil, Chile, Tunisia, Slovakia, Italy, Finland, Bangladesh, Palestine, and India participated in the festival.
Johny Got his Gun (Finland); How to Make a Revolution (Palestine); Guego Rojo (Chile) and Pappisorai were the plays staged at the ITFoK on Friday.
The play Fuego rojo (Red Fire) is inspired by the book The Memories of Fire by writer and journalist Eduardo Galeano. The drama exposed the differences between people in Latin America. The director of the play Martin Erazo spoke on Latin American caste issues and class divisions.
New experience
The play has a scene where post-mortem rituals turn into a pagan feast. The coffin becomes an entrance hole and the ritual is performed in traditional opera style by projecting sound into the opening. This different method created a new experience for the audience.
An interactive session was held on the topic The Issues of Presence and Absence: Women in Malayalam Theatre. The festival concluded with Sufi Music night.
