Astitva Mangaluru to host four-day international theatre festival from Nov 27

Astitva Mangaluru, one of the city’s most vibrant and acclaimed theatre groups, is set to celebrate a decade of its theatrical journey by organising a four-day International Theatre Festival from November 27 to 30. The event will be held in collaboration with Ranga Adhyayana Kendra of St Aloysius (deemed to be university) and Arehole Prathishtana.

According to a release, the festival will bring together diverse teams, directors and theatre styles, offering audiences an opportunity to experience performances across languages and genres. All plays will begin at 6.30 p.m. at the LCRI auditorium of St Aloysius (deemed to be university). Entry to all shows is free.

Festival to showcase four plays over four days

The festival will open on November 27 with Siren, directed by Rohith Bakikaidi and performed by students of the Ranga Adhyayana Kendra, St Aloysius. The production marks the involvement of young performers who are part of the institution’s theatre studies programme.

On November 28, Team Nirdiganta will stage Political Prisoners, directed by Anush Shetty. The play is expected to present an intense narrative, aligning with the group’s reputation for socially conscious performances.

The third day, November 29, will feature the Konkani play Yena Zalyar Vosana, directed by Pradeep Barboza and performed by Sangun Mugdana Kalakar. Known for its rooted storytelling, the play brings a regional flavour to the festival.

Astitva to conclude festival with ‘Chiri’

The event will conclude on November 30 with Chiri, directed by Christopher Dsouza and performed by Astitva Mangaluru itself. The group, recognised for its consistent contribution to theatre in the region, is marking its 10-year milestone with this culminating performance.

Celebrating a decade of creative exploration, Astitva Mangaluru aims to use this festival as a platform to engage the public, support young talent and foster cultural exchange through theatre. The organisers have extended an open invitation to theatre enthusiasts, students and the general public to attend the shows.