Ayanam Open Forum’s ‘Oru Sadacharakala Pranayam’ swept most of the laurels followed by Kazhcha Kuwait with its drama ‘Kazhcha’ at the ‘Thoppil Bhasi Theatre Festival 2017’, organized by Kerala Arts and Nataka Academy (KANA Kuwait) at the Indian Community School auditorium, Khaitan on Friday.
At a colorful event, titled ‘Thoppil Bhasi Theatre Festival 2017’, four amateur troupes competed for the awards. Ayanam Open Forum bagged the ‘Thoppil Bhasi Award 2017’ for the Best Drama. The Best Second Play Award went to ‘Kazhcha’ staged by Kazhcha Kuwait while Wilson Chirayath, who played its protagonist, a prisoner was adjudged the Best Actor of the festival.
Bergman Thomas bagged the best director award for his brilliant work ‘Oru Sadacharakala Pranayam’, while the Best Script Award went to Wilson Chirayath for the play ‘Kazhcha.’ Treesa Wilson won the Best Actress Award for her stellar performance in ‘Orusadacharakala Pranayam’. The Second Best Script Award went to Subi George for his play ‘Nam Enthu Cheyyanam’ which was presented by Marina Moving Arts.
The Second Best Actor award was bagged by Rafeeq Thayath (Oru Sadacharakala Pranayam), while Sharanya Devi of the same play was adjudged the Second Best Actress. Alan Rejoy was chosen as the Best Child Artist for his distinct style of acting in the play ‘Nam Enthucheyyanam.’ Special Jury Award was given to Merin Wilson for her role in “Kazcha’. Cash awards were also given to the winning plays. The awards were given away by the guests and KANA Kuwait office-bearers during a dazzling ceremony following the competition.
The festival was inaugurated by Chief Guest of the session, Sibi US, Second Secretary, Labour, Indian Embassy in the presence of veteran theatre director and playwright Thoppil Soman, theatre actor V J Antony and KANA Kuwait office-bearers. KANA Kuwait General Secretary Jiju Kalayil welcomed the gathering and President Kumar Thrithala delivered the presidential speech. Kalashri Babu Chakola, paying homage to late Thoppil Bhasi, recalled his emotional meeting with Bhasi’s wife Amminiyamma at her home in Kerala. Thoppil Soman spoke about how the Malayalam theatre had distanced itself from people over the years.
General Convenor of Thoppil Bhasi Theatre Festival 2017 and KANA Advisor Sajeev K Peter briefly spoke about late Bhasi and how his social dramas transformed the cultural milieu of Kerala in 1950s and 1960s. Advisor K P Balakrishnan and drama festival jury member V J Antony also spoke on the occasion. KANA Kuwait Vice President Punnose Anchery proposed a vote of thanks. Technical Advisor Idiculla Mathews and Reji Mathew were also present during the inaugural ceremony. Manju Mathew and Shilpa Sajeev anchored the inaugural session. A large number of theatre enthusiasts and Indian community members were present during the three-hour festival.
KANA Kuwait is a non-profit socio-cultural organization formed on World Theatre Day (March 27, 2017) in Kuwait by a group of theatre aficionados with a view to promoting theatre and generating a positive theatre culture among the Indian community in the country.