The aspiring youngsters learnt the folk theatre form in a theatre workshop that concluded here on Tuesday. The workshop was organised by the Children Theatre Wing of Vihan theatre group ‘Swapn Yaan’. The 15 days workshop began here from May 11 under which the children learnt the folk theatre art of Bastar. Not only this the children were also trained under the expert training by the renowned names of theatre industry of the city.
The noted director of theatre Hemant Deolekar and Shweta Kelkar of Madhya Pradesh School of Drama conducted the workshop. Through the workshop the students were taught basic acting exercises to strengthen their acting foundation. This training programme further trained the students to free them from self consciousness and strengthen their concentration through sensory exercises. Students were given assignments to apply in their theatrical personality and performances.
How to use the props and properties, speech therapy, improvisation of stories, body movements, facial expression with dialogue, footwork on music along with other experimental exercises were also taught in the workshop. Most importantly, the basics of folk art were taught through the play way method so that the students can enjoy the workshop. Moreover, Hemant Deolekar who has already done a lot of research work on the music and culture of Bastar folk art abd theatre trained the students in the folk theatre music, and Shweta who has worked upon the folk theatre form trained the students in folk acting and other skills.
During the workshop, the children prepared the play ‘Ek Kahani Bastar Ki’ which is directed by Sourabh Anant. The play will be staged after the final rehersals. The organizer of the workshop Sudeep Soni said, “The aim behind organising this workshop was to make the children aware of folk art and theatre.”