Several years back, the Kerala NGO Union formed cultural committees in all districts when they realised that there were many among their ranks who have no platform to express their creative talent. One of the ideas that evolved out of these committees in recent years led to the starting of an annual drama festival, in which Government employees from across the State brought varied fare on stage.
The seventh edition of the ‘Arangu’ festival is set to be held at the Regional theatre in Thrissur on October 2, on Gandhi Jayanti day. At the day-long festival, each district committee will present one drama. The capital district of Thiruvananthapuram, having two committees owing to the large number of employees in the district, will bring on stage two dramas.
“The cultural committees provide a platform for all the creative people amongst us to come together, share ideas and express their talents. The ‘Arangu’ festival, since its inception in 2013, has attracted much interest from the members ,” says T.C.Mathukutty, General Secretary of the NGO Union.
The NGO Kalavedi from Kasaragod will being on stage the drama Pulathudi while the other dramas are Desi by Sanghavedi from Kannur, Black Friday by Granma from Wayanad, Gulikanum Kuntholanum by NGO Arts from Kozhikode, Kaalakaalakkedu by Jwala from Malappuram, Koodu by Fort Kalavedi from Palakkad, Upajanmam by Sargavedi from Thrissur, Otta by Sanghasamskara from Ernakulam, His story athava avante aithihyam by Kanal Kalavedi from Idukki, A night before Christmas by Theekkathir Kalavedi from Kottayam, Colonel by Red Star from Alappuzha, Chiruthevi by Progressive Arts from Pathanamthitta, Ottappettavan athava ottukodukkapettavan by Jwala Kalasamithi from Kollam, Marappavakal by Sanghasamskara from Thiruvananthapuram North and Bheemakhadolkachan by Akshara Kalavedi from Thiruvananthapuram South.
Minister for Local Self Governments A.C.Moideen will inaugurate the festival at 9 a.m. on October 2.