Udupi: A camp to train theatrical performance to people from different walks of life has been organised for ten days, by the Manipal Junior College, which gives them an opportunity to learn theater art, from budding stars to experienced hands. It is a unique experiment and will provide exposure to valuable theatrical knowledge before it vanishes.
The camp is set to start from from May 17 and go on to May 28. Under one roof, 4 camps are organised for 4 different categories, first one is for the children who are just entering the world of drama. Nearly 45 students in the age group of 10-16 take part in ‘Preethiya Kalu’. Second group for youth from 16 to 25 will perform a drama called Mahila Baratha’. Third one group is Chinnari Thanda by MJC students who perform on ‘Papu Bapuvada Kathe’ training on Gandhi’s story. They have prior experience in theater and have performed ‘Hakki hadu’ and ‘Rakke kattuvira’. The fourth and final is from the age group 20 -55 is an open one for anyone interested and experienced.
The camp is will run from morning till night. Morning training will be given to 16-25 youth and Chinnari Thanda, after noon to the budding stars who practice – Preethiya Kalu’, Evening will be for 20 -55 who will get training on improving their innate talents.
The camp coordinator Prasad Rao said ‘Papu Bapuvada Kathe’ is the novel authored by renowned writer Boluvaru Mohammed Kunhi. The entire script is retained in the scriptural form and is not being transformed into theater dialogues, he added.
Dr Sripad Bhat, well known theater director has arranged the camp and said that “we have participants up to age of 52”. Ranga Sangitya is set to give opportunity including women. It is an open stage for talents and wanted to leave a bench mark for the future generations.
Bhat said, “even though modernism has caused theater to lose its importance, there are people who still like it. We need to protect our traditional theatrical form through new talent”. Bhat added that a State wide attempt is being made to introduce the experiment.
Ranga Sangitya concentrates only on theater performance. Theater is the basic educational instrument for any performance. Theater performance also boosts up the mind of younger ones. As far as students are concerned, academic education should not be the only criteria to grow a child. Education should be beyond the prospect. “The world is open to them to explore” he stated
Aneesh, one of the aspirants said that a stage show at a young age gives us courage and confidence, it removes our inbibitions.
The Stage shows ‘Preethiya Kalu’ and on ‘Papu Bapuvada Kathe’ would be performed on the last day of the camp.
