Dramatically correct

Updated on: Saturday, December 24, 2011

There will be a different hue in the school campuses across the city on December 22 as the National Gallery of Art will host students from eight schools who will compete for the prestigious Kaifi Azmi Trophy. Students will be given a choice to perform on either social issues or pay homage to those who have contributed to the field of theatre irrespective of language.

Hindi, Urdu, Marathi, Gujarati and Hindustani (a mixture of Urdu and Hindi) are the languages which reach out to the common man and it is imperative to encourage the proper use of these languages amongst the youth, says Mujeeb Khan, founder-director of Ideal Drama and Entertainment Academy (IDEA).

Teachers are leaving no stone unturned in supporting their students talent and are pleased at the prospect of having their students perform onstage. The competition is one its kind. More than focusing on entertainment, it is an unbiased platform for the budding theatre artists where winners are selected purely on merit basis. It is a great opportunity, especially for underprivileged students, says Pauline Temasfieldt, headmistress of Surajba Vidyamandir, a participating school.Often students are encouraged to pursue dance and music; however dramatics comes in much later. As young children, we never had a chance to showcase our talents, but it is good to see children today make the most of the opportunities that come their way, says Khan who started the competition 17 years ago.

He explains that the Academy is not looking for material profits out of conducting such competitions, stressing on the fact that no entry fee is charged to any participating school. We have tied up with various NGOs and staged plays for them based on social and civic issues, informs Khan.

In a world where up-to-the-minute technologies and globalisation plays a key role in the evolution of languages and where English has become the mainstream language among the urban youth, it is heartening to note that the purity of Indian languages is also being preserved and promoted amongst school and college students by means of theatre.

Courtesy: Myeducationtimes.com

Times of India

Dramatically correct

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