Drama Workshop

I came to read Gijubhai about importance of play, instead reading or telling story if children can play characters of story it is more enriching experience than just listening and imagination of story. We are used to play stories from Gijubhai's balnagari like Sassabhai sankaliya, Dalo Tarwadi etc at home. But I always wished Ash get such chance with someone attached to this field. From somewhere I came to know about drama workshop conducted at Pruthvi Theatre and was planning to go mumbai for it, was not aware that such activities going on in surat too.

So when I read about drama workshop at Sahitya sangam, asked Ash's opinion ,with my surprise she got ready immediately if timing does not effect her gymnastics schedule. She intended to spend some days at our village, but experiencing something new was more exciting...with all of us surprise she refused to go village with her grandpa.

Drama workshop conducted by Prakash Maheta and his assistants who has 30 years experience in this field. First day he introduced us subject of drama...a different view to the problem of child labours. Family conditions and poverty forces some children to work , they are not intended to work themselves.And if old age people can earn,women can earn then why children can't earn and help their family? A.R. Raheman earning money since he was 9 year old, even Abdul Kalam was used to sale newspaper in childhood. Children can earn money working in play,serial etc. Today's education is not less labour some...school,tuition,homework,exam. Then why children can't do labour work. Then employer take advantage and exploit such children.



Total three scenes in play. Ashna got role of Bilal's friend (Bilal is protagonist and in custody) and her entry in last scene. She thoroughly enjoyed this workshop except 4-5 days when she had to do nothing. Total 27 days of workshop, they learned lot about proper pronunciation, variations in sound & volume, timing and how to represent themselves on stage. Ash learned importance of clear pronunciation and now conscious about it. Children got aware of their body lang., walking style,talking style and some wrong habits they were following subconsciously. At last after 27 days hard work they presented play "Amane kam karva do" beautifully. This is team work and I must say everyone played their role quiet properly.

What changes it made in Ashna? She is bubbling all dialogues of drama whole day with all its variations and expressions. As I said proper pronunciation and other is she developed new interest in drama. Until now she was like drama is not my cup of tea but now she is very much interested to join any of drama workshop conducted by Prakash Sir. To direct children is not easy ,but Prakash Sir's dedication,discipline & perfection to his work must be praised. Children didn't mind if he got angry because they already know there must be their mistake. He even equally divided work so that every child get chance .

Thanks to Sahitya Sangam - Nanu bapa and Janakbhai, for providing such opportunity for children...they learned,played,made friends and enjoyed lot.