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Theatre Festivals of Southern India
Theatre Festivals of Southern India are one of the earliest festivals of the country promoting different kinds of theatres.

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Theatre is a form of visual art having its origin in ancient times. It is the art of portrayal of real or imaginative events through live performances by artists before live audiences. Appropriate combinations of songs, music, dance, speech and gestures for communicating with the audiences is the skill required in this form of art. Various elements of the stages also play a vital role in enhancing the appeal of theatres. Theatre festivals are focussed on this very form of fine art. The tradition of theatre festivals can be traced to ancient times and these are enlisted among the earliest festivals celebrated in the country. Theatre Festivals of Southern India form one of the integral parts of the cultural heritage of the country.

Theatre Festivals of Southern India International Theatre Festival of Kerala
One of the most significant theatre festivals of Kerala is International Theatre Festival of Kerala. This annual festival is held in the month of December, every year, in Thrissur city situated in Kerala. Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi under the Cultural Department of Kerala Government is the main organizers of this festival. The festival marked its initiation in the year 2008.

Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival
Another theatre festival of southern India is Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival. It is organized every year in Hyderabad. The festival takes its name from the eminent personality of Hyderabad theatre circuit Qadir Ali Baig. New Theatre of Hyderabad (NTH) was founded by him in the year 1970 where he featured some of the most famous plays. His period plays were admired for creating the aura of ancient times like the Mughal period.

Theatre Festivals of Southern India contribute greatly in promoting the various kinds of theatres in the country. Works of several eminent and admired personalities are beautifully portrayed through these theatres. Varied subjects find powerful expressions to reach to the common people through this art and efficient performers of conventional as well as contemporary theatres gather to render outstanding performances in the theatre festivals.

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