Kalakshetra Foundation Opens 17th Kathakali Festival in Chennai

The 17th Kathakali Festival, organised by the Kalakshetra Foundation under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, was inaugurated on Friday at the Bharata Kalakshetra Auditorium in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai.

The three-day event, themed "Kadha Rasa Sangama – Confluence of Essence of Stories", will run from 18 to 20 September 2026 and features three prominent Kathakali institutions: Sadanam Academy, Kerala Kalamandalam and Margi Theatre.

Shri K. K. Mishra, IRTS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, attended the inaugural ceremony as Chief Guest. Shri Suresh Kumar Chikkala, Director of the Kalakshetra Foundation, was also present.

The festival opened with "Mandodari", presented by Sadanam Academy. Drawing from the Ramayana, the production depicts the final moments of Ravana's life and Mandodari's response to his death.

On 19 September, Kerala Kalamandalam will stage "The Old Man and the Sea", a Kathakali adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's novel, portraying the perseverance and struggle of Santiago, the fisherman at its centre.

The festival concludes on 20 September with "Rugmangada Charitham", presented by Margi Theatre. The production centres on the devotion of King Rugmangada and the test of his faith and observance of Ekadasi.

Alongside the evening performances, lecture-demonstrations will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM on all three days at Rukmini Arangam, followed by Kathakali presentations by students of the Kalakshetra Foundation.

Founded in 1936 by Rukmini Devi Arundale, the Kalakshetra Foundation has played a significant role in preserving and promoting India's classical arts and traditional cultural heritage. It has contributed to the development of Bharatanatyam and supported the transmission of traditional music, dance and craft traditions through education and performance.