Curtains Rise on Creativity: Bal Rangmanch Mahotsav Ignites Passion for Theatre
3 min read
Shimla, July 4, 2025 – The grandeur of Gaiety Theatre’s Conference Hall turned into a vibrant hub of creativity and collaboration as teacher’s skill-building workshop unfolded on July 3, part of the Bal Rangmanch Mahotsav – Inter-School Hindi Drama Competition being organised by Keekli Charitable Trust in October. Part of the main festival, this full-day workshop became a melting pot of ideas where educators, theatre mentors, and experts came together to nurture the dramatic talents of young students through hands-on training and inspiring discourse. The finale of the event will be held from 3rd to 5th October in the Gothic Hall of Gaiety. The Special Guest for the event is noted actor Vineet Kumar along with eminent theatre personalities, Avtar Sahni, Suresh Sharma and Anita Pandey who will preside as the jury मेंबर्स। (CLICK TO SEE ALL VIDEOS)
With enthusiastic participation from nineteen schools across Shimla and nearby regions, the event laid the groundwork for an enriching festival of drama. Schools that took part included Swaran Public School, Saraswati Paradise International Public School, ECI Chalet Day School, Ivy International School, Monal Public School, Sambhota Tibetan School, Lakshay Public School, Lakshay Convent School, GSSS Kadaur, St. Thomas Public School, Roots Country School, GSSS Sarog, Laureate Public School, Durga Public School, Bharti Public School, Auckland House School for Boys, Auckland House School, GSSS Portmore, and Delhi World Public School. Young creative directors who will be working with the various teams are Shruti Rohta, Neeraj Parashar, Naresh K Mincha, Rupesh Bhimta, Sanjeev Arora and Hemant Attri.
The day began with an engaging session led by renowned theatre figures Srinivas Joshi and Vivek Mohan, focusing on the essentials of story writing, adaptation, and direction. Srinivas Joshi opened the session sharing expert points about the adaptation of stories and looking at the finer points and hidden themes within the narratives. He also narrated a story, inviting the teachers to turn it into a performance script on the spot—an exercise that encouraged spontaneity and creative thinking. He then reviewed the play summaries submitted by each school for the upcoming Mahotsav, offering thoughtful guidance on adaptation strategies and helping teachers fine-tune their scripts to make them stage-ready. Vivek Mohan built on this by exploring the technicalities of direction and stage blocking, underlining the importance of understanding space, movement, and timing. He encouraged participants to focus on the integrity of each scene and to guide their students in crafting emotionally rich performances through detailed rehearsal planning.
The afternoon session featured theatre veterans Jawahar Kaul and Bhupinder Sharma, who shifted the focus to the technical and performance-driven elements of theatre. Their session delved into the use of lighting, sound, costume, props, and set design—key tools in bringing a story to life on stage. They stressed that these elements, when used effectively, amplify the narrative and give depth to performances. Both experts urged educators to work closely with students, not just during the adaptation of scripts, but throughout the entire rehearsal process. They introduced exercises to strengthen students’ skills in voice modulation, physical expression, timing, and improvisation—tools essential to shaping confident, stage-ready performers.
The workshop proved to be more than just a training session—it was a celebration of theatre’s potential to transform young minds. It also empowered teachers with actionable insights and creative strategies, enriching their approach to drama as an educational discipline. As the Bal Rangmanch Mahotsav progresses into its performance phase, the seeds sown during this workshop are sure to blossom on stage, reflecting the synergy between guidance, practice, and passion.
In the days to come, Shimla’s students will not only showcase their dramatic flair but also their deeper understanding of storytelling, character, and craft—making this festival a true tribute to the art of performance and the power of education through theatre.
