Children’s Theatre Festival in Shimla Honors the Fusion of Literature and Performance
3 min read
Shimla Oct 15
In an exciting and innovative initiative, the Language and Culture Department of Himachal Pradesh, in collaboration with the Keekli Charitable Trust, hosted a Children’s Theatre Festival – Inter-School Hindi Drama Competition on October 14th and 15th, 2023, at the historic Gothic Hall of the Gaiety Theatre in Shimla.
This festival is a celebration of culture and creativity, bringing together young talents with seasoned writers in a unique collaborative effort. The competition goes beyond being just a competition; it’s a platform where school students adapt regional stories into captivating play scripts, bridging the gap between literature and performance.
Rajesh Sharma, IFS, State Project Director, Samagra Shiksha, H.P., announced that the Education Department would collaborate and appoint Keekli as a nodal agency for future projects benefiting children.
The festival commenced with an inauguration ceremony on August 14, 2023, and featured the participation of 15 schools, focusing on enhancing the skills of both students and teachers in the art of theatre.
Eminent Chief Guests from the world of theatre and art, including Kumud Kumar Mishra and Suneel Sinha, graced the event, with MK Raina as the Guest of Honour. The festival’s core team played a pivotal role in shaping the event’s progress and conducting essential sessions.
The heart of this festival lies in bridging the gap between young readers and accomplished writers of Himachal Pradesh. The festival adapts regional stories into play scripts and brings them to life on stage. It’s a collaborative effort between the Language & Culture Department, HP, and the Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla. The event isn’t just about competition but also represents a six-month journey, involving workshops for both teachers and students, designed to enhance their skills and impart knowledge about the art of theatre.
The festival revolves around three key aspects of theatre:
1. Stories written by Himachal Pradesh writers, adapted into scripts by students, selected based on merit in consultation with eminent writers.
2. The scripts will be transformed into One Act Plays by participating students and teachers, with a duration of 15 to 20 minutes and a maximum of 15 participants per school.
3. Preparations culminate in the final performances, with workshops for teachers, school visits, and final rehearsals to receive feedback and technical expertise from the Core Team.
Over 200 students are participating in the grand finale, which is set for the 14th and 15th of October. They will compete in nine plays on the first day and six on the second. Various categories of prizes, including Best Adaptations, Best Performance, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Props, Best Costume, Best Production Design, and a Special Jury Award, will be presented. Writers and the core team will also be recognized for their contributions.
The Children’s Theatre Festival is not only a celebration of culture and creativity but also an educational and inspiring initiative that brings together literature and performance on stage.
Participating Schools and Their Adaptations:
1. Arya Samaj School, Shimla: “You Singh Lapata Hai”
2. Bishop Cotton School, Shimla: “Fauji Chacha”
3. Blue Bells Public School, Shimla: “Deodar Ka Ped”
4. Chapslee School, Shimla: “Gumshuda”
5. Government Utkrisht Senior Secondary School Chhota Shimla, Shimla: “Princess Aurora and the Diamond Crown”
6. Govt Senior Secondary School, Kadaur: “Vidai Bela”
7. Govt Senior Secondary School, Kaina: “Ek Pratiyogita”
8. Himalayan Public School, Kaithu, Shimla: “Papa Maaf Karna”
9. Lakshya Convent School, Manjyat, Arki: “Phone Pe Mahanagar”
10. Monal Public School, Nispriya Cottage, Sanjauli: “Kainth Ka Ped”
11. Monal Public School, North Oak, Sanjauli: “Jheel Ke Prehari”
12. Raghav Public School, Baldeya: “Stranger”
13. Raghav Public School, Ghaini: “Fake Time Machine”
14. Saraswati Paradise International Public School, Shimla: “Nati Ra Phera”
15. Swarn Public School, Tutikandi, Shimla: “Saligrama Ki Chitti”
The Children’s Theatre Festival promises to be a memorable celebration of culture, creativity, and young artistic talents in Himachal Pradesh. It’s a remarkable initiative that combines literature and performance on the stage, offering education and inspiration in an entertaining way.
Winner included :
