THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 18, 2026

In a remarkable celebration of culture, language and theatrical excellence, students of KISS and KIIT who recently earned international acclaim in Romania for performing Shakespearean classics in Santali returned to a hero’s welcome in Odisha. Showcasing their historic achievement before a packed audience in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday, the young performers captivated spectators with powerful renditions of Hamlet, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet, reaffirming the global appeal of indigenous languages and artistic talent.

The programme was inaugurated by Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Surama Padhy, who attended as the chief guest and highly praised the talented students.

Among the distinguished guests present were former MP Niranjan Bishi, Cuttack Mayor Subhas Singh, Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey, KIIT and KISS Founder Dr Achyuta Samanta, and KIIT Chancellor Ashok Kumar Parija, who encouraged and congratulated the students for their remarkable achievement.

The students created history by becoming the first group to perform Shakespearean plays in the Santali language on an international stage. At the World Shakespeare Theatre Festival held in Romania, around 3,000 students from 71 universities across 45 countries participated.

During the festival, KISS students won international acclaim by presenting renowned Shakespearean plays such as Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Macbeth in Santali across various cities in Romania. Following their successful overseas performances, the students also staged the productions in New Delhi before ambassadors, high commissioners and eminent personalities from several countries, receiving widespread appreciation.

At the Bhubaneswar event, the students performed all three Shakespearean masterpieces in Santali. Hamlet was directed by Debanuj Majumdar, who also played the title role. The cast featured Adrika Shinjini as Ophelia, Kamalika Bag as Gertrude, Biswarup Dutta as King Hamlet, Sujatra Mukherjee as Claudius, and Dilip Srambutika as Ophelia’s father.

Macbeth was directed by Adrika Shinjini. The cast included Urmila Murmu, Lopamudra Kanti, Minminati Jhodia, Rashmita Tamarbi and Bishnupriya Nayak as the witches; Smruti Das as Lady Macbeth; Priyanshu Kumar as Macbeth; Debanuj Majumdar as Banquo; Kamalika Bag as the All-Knowing Narrator; and Pratiksha Mishra as Lady Macbeth’s reflection.

Romeo and Juliet was directed by Kamalika Bag. The cast comprised Priyanshu Kumar as Romeo, Hemalata Nayak as Juliet, Sujatra Mukherjee as Mercutio, Biswarup Dutta as Benvolio, Rashmita Tamarbi as Lady Capulet, Dilip Sambartika as Lord Capulet and Sanjana Singh as Lady Friar.

The theatrical productions were further elevated by live musical performances from Pintu Majhi, Bipin Majhi, Ananta Angra, Shaurya Amit, Adrika Shinjini, Debanuj Majumdar and Kamalika Bag. The Santali translation of the Shakespearean plays was undertaken by Urmila Murmu, whose efforts helped bring the timeless works of Shakespeare to life in an indigenous language and connect them with a wider audience.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Saranjit Singh, Vice-Chancellor of KIIT.