KOCHI:Theatre lovers in Kochi have something to cheer about with the four-day street play festival in memory of Bharat award-winning actor and theatre personality P J Antony, set to begin on Thursday. The festival named ‘Theruvarangu’ will be held at four different venues of Ernakulam.
As many as 12 dramas would be staged as part of the fourth edition of Theruvarangu this year. The venues for the festival will be courtyard of Ernakulam Public Library, Netaji Gramin Library at Nellad, Valatthol Memorial Library at Pukattupady and Recreation Ground at Kurumassery.
The inauguration of street play festival would be held simultaneously at four venues at 5.30 pm on Thursday. The founder of Budhan Theatre, Ahmedabad, and noted theatre artist Dakshin Bajrange will inaugurate the festival at Ernakulam Public Library.
At Pukattupady, drama artist T M Abraham will inaugurate the festival while John Fernandez MLA and Cochin University Pro Vice-Chancellor P G Shankaran will open the fiesta at Nellad and Kurumassery, respectively.
Two dramas presented by theatre groups from outside Kerala will also be a part of the festival. Budhan Theatre from Ahmedabad will present an adaptation of Girgit and Chennai Kalai Kuzhu will present ‘Payanam’. Budhan Theatre is formed by a gipsy tribe from Chharanagar near Ahmedabad. The tribe members had been isolated from the society. Even now, the people consider the tribe members as criminals and the majority of them yet to receive identity and ration cards.
As many as 10 plays will be presented by various drama troops from Kerala. This includes Vidyodaya School Theatre on Wheels’ ‘Maricha Kunjungal Varunnundu and ‘Tharatharam Poley’ by Azhikkodan Memorial Arts and Sports Club.
Besides Kapila Kochi’s ‘Palam’, Sruthi Thavanoor’s Vishudha Pashu, Rangasurya’s ‘Appuvinte Thengalangal’, Edapally Theatre Study Centre’s ‘Mannakam’ Njamanangad Theatre Village’s ‘Shillarooper Dese’, Veloor Central Arts ‘Kalapakalam’, Sruthi Parangad’s ‘Mankolangal’ and CSN Natakavedi will light up the fest with ‘Vazhuthana’. There are also plays by children and drama acted by a single actor. Most dramas are about present-day issues prevailing in the society.
Famous writers, directors and actors would take part in the event. New technology adopted in the theatre sector would be showcased in the street plays presented as part of the festival.