National Theatre Festival in Kozhikode, organized by department of Public Relations and Information attracted many art lovers. Various forms of theatre arts were well received by the people even it was a time of political play. Apart from a wide variety of classical dramas, the festival paved the way for open discussion and face to face with great theatre personalities in and outside Kerala.
Aaj Rang He, written by Poorva Naresh and directed by Gopal Tewari and Purva Naresh was a story based on a singer, who uses her knowledge of history of Indian Classical Music to counsel her neighbors,
Elam Kolam and Karimkuttyy Sasathappan, based on Kerala ritual art Theyyam, produced by Manoj and Group at Mayyil Kannur, a true story on today’s Kashmir, Archee Kaal directed by Reshi Rashid, a script developed as dialogue between a mother and her unborn child; Chanda Mama Dur Ke, uphold the values of new born child and some community plays rejuvenated new insight into the minds of many spectators.
Plays show cased the contemporary social issues and life situations, turned a significant contemplation of theatre festival. Mirel Masingkha told the story of Irom Charu Sharmila on her repressed campaign against terrorism. It was a mime play. It was a meaningful and entertaining performance as its director Dr.Yumnam Sadananda Singh said. Peer Gynt, an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s Peer Gynt by Deepan Sivaraman happens within a mental asylum. The play began with Gynt’s request for a second chance at life.
Sonar Meye, in Bangla, directed by Sanjoy Gangly dealt with the status of women. It showed the challenges of a girl since her childhood days.
Miss Meena, Jameela, Madhya Daranyazhi, Echo of the Day, Kalam Kariyude Kadha, jeevicharithram, Ram, Lanka Lakshmi, Ganga Puthra Bheeshma and the concluding play All About Women were staged during the festival.
Kalam Kariyude Kadha attracted me greatly, said Rathnakaran, a theatre personality in Kozhikode.
Its perfection was unique-he commented.
Ashraf, one of the prominent theatre personalities of Kerala said “Each and every day there had been tremendous improvement on the part of spectators. With the innovative presentation of puppet plays really became an educational and inspiring event to the audience. Theatre is changing and all these experiences give new insights to the theatre persons and students.”- he added.
Kudiyode Poruvin (Come along you all), a play produced in tune with Kuravarassikkali, a folk art form of a tribal group of Kuravars depicted the deforestation and other environmental issues Kerala faces.
