‘Vazhakula Reloaded’ presented by Mareena Moving Arts bagged three awards including the Best Play, Best Director and the Best Child Artiste awards at the second ‘Thoppil Bhasi Theatre Festival 2018’, organized by Kerala Arts and Nataka Academy (KANA Kuwait) at the Indian Community School auditorium, Khaitan on Friday.

At a colorful event, titled ‘Thoppil Bhasi Theatre Festival 2018’, five amateur troupes competed for the awards. The Best Second Play award went to ‘Swapnavathil Padiyil Swarna Cheruppadayalam’ staged by Kazhcha Kuwait.

The Best Director award was bagged by Bijoy Scaria Palekkunnel for his play ‘Vazhakula Reloaded’ which also brought accolades for Aiju Poothettan (Best Actor) and Eric Davis (the Best Child Artiste). Bergman Thomas bagged the best Script Writer award for his play ‘Pekkalam’ which was staged by Theatre of Idiots.

Treesa Wilson was adjudged the best actress for her performance in ‘Swapna Vathipadiyil Swarna Cheruppadayalm’ for the second year in a row. Samson Joseph was chosen for Special Jury Award for direction of the play ‘Nanathwathil Ekathwam’.

The awards were given away by the guests and KANA Kuwait office-bearers during a ceremony following the competition.

The festival was inaugurated by the chief guest and well-known film-theatre personality, writer and voice artist Prof Aliyar. Tracing the evolution and growth of Malayalam theatre over the last 40 years, Prof Aliyar recalled the contribution made by late Thoppil Bhasi through his epoch-making dramas and scripts. As the head of the Jury of Thoppil Bhasi Theatre Festival 2018, he commended the efforts being made by Kerala Arts and Nataka Academy in promoting theatre and arts in Kuwait. President Kumar Thrithala delivered the presidential speech. Indian Community School (Khaitan) Principal K Gangadhar and jury member Prabhakarn Pillai delivered felicitation speeches.

Festival Convener Sajeev K Peter welcomed the gathering and Vice-president Punnoose Anchery proposed a vote of thanks. KANA Kuwait patron Babu Chakola, Advisor K P Balakrishnan, Technical Advisor Idiculla Mathew and P R O Reji Mathew were also present during the inaugural ceremony.

A large number of theatre enthusiasts and Indian community members were present during the festival.