A one-month-long ‘Theatre Workshop’ was held in the theatre hall of Satyabrata Kala Kendra (SKK) at Chindaguda of Khariar block from May 1 to 30.
“It was a joint endeavour of the Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi; the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, Union Ministry of Culture; and the Satyabrata Kala Kendra, Chindaguda. The programme was sponsored by the Sangeet Natak Academy,” said SKK director Prabin Singh Deo.
A total of 30 persons, some of them other districts of Odisha, participated in the workshop. Two of the participants were girls belonging to Balangir and Bargarh districts, respectively.
“We learnt the basics of theatre performance here and wish to create theatre groups in our villages to bring awareness in the community,” said the girls. Ashok Behera, a teacher of a local high school who spent his summer vacation in the theatre camp said he would trained the students of his school.
“The workshop was a project blend of theory and practice. The artists were trained on different skills of acting, dance, speech, dialogue delivery facial expression, theme improvisation and lighting. The camp director was Jagannath Sethi of National School of Drama (NSD).
The valedictory function was held on May 30 to felicitate the artists on successful completion of the training programme. Kalahandi MP Arka Keshari Singh Deo was chief guest. Chief speaker was Dr Sushanta Kumar Bishi, a Member of the Odisha Sahitya Academy. Other guests included Khariar block Chairman Balkrishna Sabar and Khariar NAC Chairperson Khulana Behera. The function was presided over by Prof Pl Barma, lecturer of Khariar (Autonomous) College. Short plays were performed by the artists.