17th Kathakali Festival opens at Kalakshetra, Chennai, on the theme 'Kadha Rasa Sangama'
On 18 September 2026, the 17th Kathakali Festival, organised by the Kalakshetra Foundation under the Ministry of Culture, opened at the Bharata Kalakshetra Auditorium in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai.
Summary
The 17th Kathakali Festival runs from 18 to 20 September 2026 on the theme 'Kadha Rasa Sangama – Confluence of Essence of Stories'. The festival brings together three Kathakali institutions — Sadanam Academy, Kerala Kalamandalam and Margi Theatre. Sadanam Academy opened with 'Mandodari', based on the Ramayana, and Kerala Kalamandalam is presenting a Kathakali adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's 'The Old Man and the Sea'.
Key facts
- Edition and dates
- 17th Kathakali Festival, 18–20 Sep 2026
- Organiser
- Kalakshetra Foundation (Ministry of Culture), Chennai
- Theme
- 'Kadha Rasa Sangama – Confluence of Essence of Stories'
- Institutions
- Sadanam Academy, Kerala Kalamandalam, Margi Theatre
- Productions
- 'Mandodari' (Sadanam); 'The Old Man and the Sea' (Kerala Kalamandalam)
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Which institution organised the 17th Kathakali Festival held in Chennai from 18 to 20 September 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Kalakshetra Foundation
The festival was organised by the Kalakshetra Foundation under the Ministry of Culture; Kerala Kalamandalam was one of the performing institutions.
What was the theme of the 17th Kathakali Festival (September 2026)?
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Correct answer: A — Kadha Rasa Sangama – Confluence of Essence of Stories
The theme was 'Kadha Rasa Sangama – Confluence of Essence of Stories'.