Bathery: The State Professional Drama Fest has kicked off in Bathery to an enthusiastic reception. The festival opened with Kalam Parakkanu by Kozhikode Sankeerthana at the Municipal Town Hall, where a packed audience stood as proof of the local community’s enduring love for theatre.

Kalam Parakkanu explored the consequences of busy parents introducing children to mobile phones and social media as a convenient distraction. Baby Uthara, who played the central character Jany Mol, delivered a mature and moving performance, portraying a school student, daughter, granddaughter and beloved niece. Uthara, the daughter of Kiran and Shruthy of Vinayaka House in Peyad, Thiruvananthapuram, was joined on stage by her maternal aunt Jayalakshmi, who played Jany Mol’s mother.

A passionate theatre enthusiast, Baby Uthara is currently touring the state with the drama. Following the performance, she was felicitated on stage with gifts. The play was written by Pradeep Kavunthara and directed by Rajeevan Mammili.

The festival will feature ten selected dramas recognised at the state level. The next drama, Vamsham by Thiruvananthapuram Ajantha, is scheduled to be staged at the same venue on October 29 at 6.45 PM.

The drama festival is jointly organised by the Kerala Academy of Engineering, Bathery Municipality and Bathery Press Club. Municipal Chairperson T K Ramesh inaugurated the event, with Kerala Academy of Engineering Managing Director Jacob C Varkey presiding. Municipal Vice-Chairperson Elsy Paulose, Standing Committee Chairpersons Tom Jose, K Rasheed, and Shamila Junais, Press Club Secretary N A Satheesh, Kerala Academy of Engineering Principal Gracy Jacob, and Vice-Principal Ratheesh Kumar attended.