Kollam: Festival and Justice — October 2026
Kollam made cultural headlines with the launch of the first Ashtamudi Water Gate Music Festival, a five-evening event bringing together musical traditions from across India along the city's iconic waterways. At the same time, the National Commission for Women stepped in to seek an investigation into an alleged dowry torture case, calling for protection and support for a local woman named Anju and her family.
Ashtamudi Water Gate Music Festival Opens in Kollam
The first Ashtamudi Water Gate Music Festival opened on 7 October 2026 at the Sree Narayana Guru Cultural Complex in Asramam, Kollam, bringing five evenings of live music and a parallel programme of films to the city. The festival takes its inspiration from Ashtamudi, one of Keralam's defining water landscapes known for its intricate network of waterways, islands, villages and backwaters. Its central theme is Musical Ecology - Water, exploring the relationship between water, human life, culture and music. Tourism and Culture Minister P. C. Vishnunath inaugurated the event, with Minister Bindu Krishna presiding and Minister Shibu Baby John serving as chief guest. District Collector Anie Jula Thomas IAS, Kollam Mayor A. K. Hafeez and other local dignitaries also attended. A State Government initiative under the 100-day action programme, the festival's music programme begins at 7 pm each evening. The opening night featured Manganiyar Seduction, performing the rich musical heritage of Rajasthan's Manganiyar community. Subsequent acts include Araka Vyooham, Hamsi and Band, and Shanka Tribe, whose organic trance and world-music sound weaves ancestral rhythms with instruments from across musical traditions. Indian Ocean, one of India's pioneering fusion-rock bands, closes the festival. [3]
NCW Calls for Probe into Alleged Dowry Torture in Kollam
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has called for an investigation into an alleged dowry torture case in Kollam, Kerala. Reported by The South First on 8 October 2026, the NCW is seeking a formal probe into the alleged abuse suffered by a woman named Anju. Alongside the demand for an investigation, the NCW also called for a comprehensive package of support measures for Anju and her family. These measures include protection to ensure the safety of Anju and her family, access to medical treatment, psychological counselling, and legal assistance so that Anju and her family may pursue justice effectively. By formally seeking these interventions, the NCW has signalled that the case has drawn concern at the national level. The commission is pressing authorities in Kollam to respond with urgency, to thoroughly investigate the alleged dowry-related abuse, and to ensure that all necessary protective and welfare measures are extended to Anju and those close to her without delay. The NCW's direct involvement underscores the gravity of the allegations and the importance of swift official action. [6]
Sources: [3] Kerala Tourism - Official Website · [6] The South First