Plays, musical performances, discussions mark Day 4 of ITFoK

Experience a vibrant mix of national and international plays, musical performances, and discussions at the International Theatre Festival of Kerala.

A mix of national and international plays, musical performances, and discussions transformed the fourth day of the International Theatre Festival of Kerala (ITFoK) into a vibrant platform of art and thought.

With a rich variety of experiences, the festival continues to be a stage where artistes from around the world present their craft with deep social relevance.

The classic play Poor Liza, based on the work of Nikolai Karamzin, was staged at K.T. Muhammed Regional Theatre at 11 a.m., with a repeat performance at 5.30 p.m. The play poignantly depicted the tragic love story of Liza, a peasant girl, and Erast, an aristocrat.

At 11.30 a.m., Ramanilayam Favous hosted an interactive session featuring directors and actors of Aboriginal Cry and Aaramathe Viral. The discussion delved into Manipur’s socio-political landscape and the silent yet powerful nature of the play Aboriginal Cry. To a query why the play does not use language, the play’s director Thoudam Victor responded: “I am not against letters, but I seek ways to incorporate them.” The artistes in the play use physical expression as a form of resistance. The strength of the human body, traditional knowledge, and inspiration are reflected in this performance. “The struggle for justice in Kerala has always been an inspiration. Similarly, the struggles in Manipur form the foundation of this story. This play was shaped by direct experiences of the communities of Manipur and conversations with environmental activists.”

Director of Aaramathe Viral Aju K. Narayanan said that the play focussed on the Dalit community’s fight for survival and how the upper castes exploited them. He emphasised that art was not just entertainment but also a form of resistance.

Later in the evening, audiences were treated to a mesmerising musical performance where Shihabudheen Palappetty and his ensemble blended the harmonies of the keyboard, harmonium, tabla, and guitar to create a soulful experience of ghazal and qawwali music.

The day also saw the repeat presentation of Project Darling at 9.30 a.m. and the Malayalam play Aaramathe Viral at 7.30 p.m., both captivating audiences with their depth and intensity.