KISS & KIIT students make history in Romania

New Delhi witnessed a celebration of culture, language and international achievement on Friday as a special programme that was organised in collaboration with the Romanian Embassy and KISS-KIIT to honour a group of students who have brought global recognition to India through theatre.

The event, attended by distinguished guests, diplomats and prominent members of Delhi’s cultural community, recognised the accomplishments of twenty students from Odisha-based institutions Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), who recently returned from Romania after participating in the World Shakespeare Theatre Festival 2026.

The students earned international acclaim after performing William Shakespeare’s classic works in the tribal Santali language at the prestigious festival. The group, comprising ten students from KIIT and ten from KISS, spent two months in Romania preparing for and staging adaptations of Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Macbeth in Santali.

Their performances captivated audiences and marked a historic milestone, as it was the first time Shakespeare’s works had been presented in the tribal language on an international stage of this scale.

The festival brought together 71 universities and more than 3,000 participants from around the world, making it one of the largest global gatherings dedicated to Shakespearean theatre.

Amid this diverse international showcase, the students from India stood out for bringing an indigenous language and cultural tradition into conversation with one of the world’s most celebrated literary figures.

Their achievement carries added significance as 2026 marks the centenary year of the Ol Chiki script, the writing system developed for the Santali language. By performing Shakespeare in Santali during this landmark year, the students not only demonstrated artistic excellence but also highlighted the richness and resilience of a language spoken by millions across eastern India.

For many of the performers, the journey represented much more than a theatrical opportunity. It was a chance to share their heritage with international audiences and demonstrate how indigenous languages can find new expression through world literature.

Congratulating the students, Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT, KISS and KIMS, described the achievement as a moment of pride for the institutions, Odisha and the nation.

“We are delighted that KIIT and KISS were selected to represent India at this prestigious festival,” he said. “Their achievement has brought pride to KIIT, KISS, Odisha and the country.”

By taking Shakespeare to a European stage in Santali, the students not only made history but also showcased the cultural richness of India’s tribal communities to the world, proving that language can be both a bridge to the past and a pathway to global recognition.