THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Children and serious theatre may not be something one normally associates together. But not for the members of Rangaprabhath Children’s Theatre Group, Venjaramoodu. The stage has already been set up at the venue for the 8th National Children’s Theatre Festival, which will kick off on the premises today till October 1.
Cultural Minister A K Balan will inaugurate the theatre festival which, like the previous years, will witness participation from children’s groups from across the country. Says K S Geetha, president, Rangaprabhath Children’s Theatre, “The response to the fest has always been growing over the years. This time, we will be showcasing Marathi, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam plays as part of the event, and approximately around 250-300 artistes as well as spectators from other states will be here as part of the event.”
For the 46-year-old theatre group which is noted to be one of the few groups focusing on children’s theatre here, the festival also marks the ninth memorial day of K Kochunarayana Pillai, the late founder and former president of Rangaprabhath.
On the occasion, a memorial in tribute of the noted theatre personality Professor Ramanujam, will also be inaugurated.
The event will commence with the Tamil Play Uzhaipe Uyirvu staged by Sree Ramakamalam, Tanjavoor. The following day, a Marathi/English play ‘Kidnap’ by Akamsha Balarangabhoomi, Maharashtra, will be staged. Other groups taking part in the six-day-long theatre extravaganza are Koshika from Udupi, Karnataka, Children’s Theatre Academy, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh and Centre for Arts, Media and Social Welfare, Hyderabad, among others. Rangaprabhath and Kuttikalude Nadakavedi, Lalur, will also be coming up with two malayalam plays.
Geetha adds, “We have always focused on the holistic development and personality growth of children through the medium of theatre. Every year, the festival has a theme which is related to contemporary issues of importance.”