It seems theatre as an art form is well on course to stage a comeback in the state.
SITAR, an earnest initiative by the Higher Secondary Education Department, would provide a helping hand to the waning art form to retain its lost glory by encouraging students to take up art as an active career.
SITAR or Students’ Institute for Artistic Rejuvenation launched this year will select a single art, fine arts or performing arts, to be popularised among the student community.
‘’The programme aims to impart training in different aspects of theatre, including direction, screenplay, acting and other technical elements,’’ said Dr S Nazeeb, state coordinator of SITAR.
‘’We have already conducted two regional-level workshops which were attended by about 70 students each. The third workshop will begin in Kozhikode on October 28,’’ Nazeeb said, and added that around 10-15 students will be selected at the conclusion of the first phase, and a state-level camp will be organised to hone their skills.
Catherine Thomas, a Plus One student of Muslim Girls HSS, Erattupetta, said the camp inspired her to follow her passion. ‘’The workshop opened up a whole new world for me. It was a great opportunity to interact with eminent artistes,’’ she said.
‘’There were also Yoga and Kalarippayattu training sessions, which I believe, helped me to remain mentally and physically agile throughout the event,’’ said Catherine.
Eminent theatre personalities will be attending the state-level camp, said the organisers. ‘’Ten teachers each from the three regions will also attend the camp to ensure a continuance in guidance. The participants will also be asked to produce a play,’’ Nazeeb said.
They will also get an opportunity to attend a 10-day residential programme at the National School of Drama, New Delhi.
‘’Besides staging a drama, they will associate with the training activities in their field of choice,’’ Nazeeb said. Renowned dramatist Amal Raj said SITAR was a welcome initiative. ‘’To introduce art as a career option is something new in the state which has so far only witnessed youth festival-based activities. Theatre in state will definitely get scores of artistes and admirers through the initiative,’’ he said.
Nazeeb said SITAR will have classical dance as its theme for next year. ‘’We plan to offer training in two dance forms, Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam,’’ Nazeeb said.
