Drama treat for children

[1]

Without voices and relying solely on their acting skills, props and lighting, a few differently-abled kids from Bodhir Bidya Bhawan, a special school in West Bengal, performed Rabindranath Tagore’s play Dakghar at Abhimanch auditorium.

The play opened National School of Drama’s 11th children theatre festival, Jashnebachpan. The 11-day festival will stage plays like Across the Sea, Budduram, The Kachra Tales among others. “This year we will be showcasing 17 plays from across the country. The fest’s focus is on differently-abled kids,” says incharge, Theatre in education, NSD, Abdul Latif Khatana.
“I have worked with deaf and mute children for over six years now. It is great to work with them. It was a challenge this time as Dakghar is a dialogue-intensive play and we had to perform the play without any words,” says Sushanto Mondal, director, Dakghar.
Dadi D. Pudumjee, director of the puppet play, Kalpataru — The Wishing Tree says, “The play is based on a relationship between a boy and a wishing tree. It is a story of growing up, of need for affection, and above all the grace in giving.”