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Children let down their inhibitions

Theatre Fest
Last Updated 28 August 2009, 14:34 IST
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Small children running around with balloons in their hand, murals and sculptures made by children put up on display, huge puppets guarding the entrance, adults running behind their kids from one corner to another and the beating of the drums welcomed theatre lovers to Ranga Shankara at the inauguration of Aha!, Ranga Shankara’s first International Children’s
Festival.

Even before the inaugural play, the evening had many things in store. From the small yet impressive show put up by the children of Bonfree, an NGO for the underprivileged children to the little acts put up by children from Keerthana’s Theatre Lab, the festival was one huge feast which had many things on offer. With somersaults and carefree dances, they led the audience to a stage that was set up for 60 child performers. “Plays are always a great form of communication which bridges the gap between a child and his parent. We feel it is extremely important for children to get an exposure to theatre forms like Kattaikuttu of
Tamil Nadu and Yakshagana of Karnataka. Also, I am

happy that the festival will be opened by the popular play in Kannada, Lakshapati Rajana Kathe, directed by B Jayashri,” said Arundhati Nag, the creative director of Ranga Shankara.
The interesting stage had miniature replicas of the Globe Theatre, Sanskrit Theatre, a tumble of soap boxes and a decorated swing for children who performed acts from Tempest, Mid Summer Night’s Dream, Kalidasa, Hamlet and Macbeth. This was blended with a Carnatic ensemble and a Western ensemble by the Bangalore School Of Music. The hour-long programme kept one and all on their toes and took most of the adults present at the venue back to their childhood days, when theatre was the best form of entertainment.            

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(Published 28 August 2009, 14:34 IST)

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