Roots & Wings '26
Travelling Theatre Workshop for Expat Malayali Children
Dates. : 1 – 8 August 2026
Venue. : Ala – Centre for Alternative Education and Culture, Mulanthuruthy, Ernakulam
Venue. : Ala – Centre for Alternative Education and Culture, Mulanthuruthy, Ernakulam
"Making Memories Worth Missing."
What does it mean to belong to a place you've never truly lived in?
For many young Malayalis growing up abroad, Kerala is often experienced through family stories, festivals, and short holidays. Roots & Wings '26 is an invitation to experience it differently—not as a tourist, but as a participant.
Organised by Ala – Centre for Culture & Alternative Education, this unique 8-day travelling residential theatre workshop is designed exclusively for expat Malayali children aged 12 to 18 years. Through theatre, storytelling, heritage walks, traditional arts, sustainable living, and cultural immersion, participants will discover the many stories that make Kerala home.
About the Programme
Dates: 1 – 8 August 2026
Age Group: 12–18 Years
Format: Residential Travelling Theatre Workshop
Starts & Ends At: Ala – Centre for Culture & Alternative Education, Mulanthuruthy, Ernakulam.
Roots & Wings is more than a theatre camp. It is a carefully curated cultural journey that combines creative learning with meaningful experiences across Kerala.
Participants will engage in theatre exercises, storytelling, observation, performance, cultural exploration, and collaborative activities while travelling through spaces that preserve Kerala's artistic, ecological, and social heritage.
Learning Through Experience
The workshop uses theatre as a powerful medium for learning, encouraging participants to observe, question, create, collaborate, and communicate.
Throughout the journey, participants will:
Rather than teaching culture through lectures, Roots & Wings allows participants to experience it first-hand.
Places and Experiences
The travelling workshop includes immersive visits to inspiring cultural and heritage spaces across Kerala.
Ala – Centre for Culture & Alternative Education
The journey begins at Ala, the performance space of Meandyou Foundation, a public charitable trust established in 2012. Built on the values of love, trust, sharing, democracy, and respect for diversity, Ala promotes art, theatre, and alternative education for children and adults alike.
Farmer's Share
Located along the banks of the Nila River in Shoranur, Farmer's Share is a living example of sustainable rural life. Participants will explore farming, traditional livelihoods, local crafts, and the relationship between people, nature, and community.
Kala Patasala
The artistic wing of Paatasala, Kala Patasala is dedicated to rural theatre, visual arts, and community-based artistic practices. It offers participants an opportunity to witness how art becomes part of everyday life.
Kerala Kalamandalam
As Kerala's premier institution for traditional performing arts, Kerala Kalamandalam introduces participants to the state's rich artistic traditions including dance, music, and theatre that have shaped Kerala's cultural identity.
Walk with Bony
Led by author, illustrator, and historian Bony Thomas, this heritage walk explores the hidden histories of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry through stories, architecture, food, and everyday life, encouraging participants to look beyond the obvious.
Vaikom Satyagraha Memorial Museum
Participants will visit this important museum that commemorates the historic struggle against caste discrimination and untouchability, providing valuable insights into Kerala's social renaissance and democratic movements.
Mulanthuruthy Handloom Weavers Co-operative Society
The workshop also introduces participants to Kerala's traditional handloom heritage, where they will witness the craftsmanship and dedication of local weaving communities who continue to preserve this centuries-old tradition.
Workshop Facilitator
The programme is led by Manu Jose, actor, storyteller, theatre facilitator, and Creative Director of Ala.
A recipient of the Kalasree Award from the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi (2014), Manu has worked with eminent theatre and film directors and is widely recognised as Kerala's leading professional live storyteller.
With more than 700 live storytelling performances and over 1,000 theatre and life skills workshops, he has inspired thousands of children, educators, artists, and professionals through Applied Theatre. He has also led major cultural initiatives including ABC (Art By Children) at the Kochi Muziris Biennale, the Children's Kerala Literature Festival (CKLF), and FESTA, Kerala's first National Storytelling Festival.
Why Roots & Wings?
In today's digital world, meaningful experiences often become our most treasured memories.
Roots & Wings offers young Malayalis an opportunity to reconnect with their language, heritage, traditions, people, and stories through creativity, travel, and shared experiences.
It is a journey of discovery—not only of Kerala, but also of themselves.
Registration & Enquiries
Roots & Wings '26
Dates: 1–8 August 2026
Venue: Ala – Centre for Culture & Alternative Education, Mulanthuruthy, Ernakulam
It is a journey of discovery—not only of Kerala, but also of themselves.
Contact:
Phone: +91 94471 94411
Phone: +91 94954 26570
Join us for an unforgettable journey where theatre becomes a bridge between cultures, memories become lifelong stories, and young minds reconnect with their roots while discovering the wings to imagine their future.
Every second, your child is growing. What are they growing into?
This is the heart of every ALA journey.