Hyderabad, April 6, 2025 — In a city where art, culture, and history flow as freely as the River, Hyderabad is all set to host its First International Children’s Theatre Festival—a landmark event celebrating the boundless imagination of young storytellers.
Organized by the Nishumbita School of Drama with support from the Department of Language and Culture, Government of Telangana, the festival will run from April 7 to 9, bringing together child performers from across India and countries like Japan and Nepal.
This unique initiative aims to blend cultures, ideas, and creativity, much like Hyderabad’s famous biryani—rich, layered, and full of surprises. From captivating plays and storytelling sessions to hands-on workshops, the three-day event is a celebration of theatre as a powerful medium of expression for young minds.
Adding star power to the occasion are celebrated names like Faria Abdullah, the beloved actress and proud alumna of Nishumbita; actor Anish Kuruvilla; acclaimed directors Vinay Varma and Venkat Gowda; and the highly respected writer Akella Siva Prasad. Their presence emphasizes the festival’s central theme: creativity knows no boundaries.
- “By bringing together young artists from different backgrounds, we aim to ignite a passion for theatre as a means of self-expression and learning,” said Devika Das, one of the key organizers of the event.
The Nishumbita School of Drama, a prominent name in Hyderabad’s cultural scene for over two decades, continues its mission of nurturing artistic talent and encouraging storytelling that bridges generations and geographies.
But this festival is more than just a cultural event—it is a movement that highlights the potential of South Indian talent and calls for even greater encouragement and visibility. Across the nation and beyond, South Indian achievers have consistently left their mark. Visionaries like Mani Ratnam in cinema, Sudha Murty in literature and philanthropy, Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw in biotechnology, and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who seamlessly blends regional and global cinema, prove that the South has stories worth sharing on every stage.
Just like them, these young theatre enthusiasts are tomorrow’s creators—writers, actors, directors, and leaders. By investing in their imagination today, South India can continue to lead in arts, culture, and innovation on a global scale.
Families, educators, and art lovers are invited to be part of this vibrant celebration, where every performance carries the spark of a future star. Come witness the shaping of a new cultural movement—right here in Hyderabad—where every child’s voice matters, and every story has the power to inspire.
