CHILDREN'S WING
3 years to 15 years
A famous saying in Indian literature and poetics goes about saying this; "Kavyeshu Natakam Ramyam"which translates to "among all the literary forms, drama is most romantic"
We at Vijayanagara Bimba believe it by letter and spirit. We believe that children and childhood add to that romanticism. Hence we desired to practice Makkala Ranga Bhoomi – Theatre for Children.
Drawing inspiration from the stalwarts of Kannada Theatre, Vijayanagara Bimba is set out to train children in theatre by conducting a Saturday theatre school called Shanivarada Rangashaale and summer camps called Chinnara Chittara (for 3 - 5-year-olds) & Chinnara Chavadi (for 5 - 15-year-olds)
Shanivaarada Ranga Shaale
Vijayanagara Bimba is contributing in its own way using its medium - Theatre. Two hours every Saturday, Ranga Shaale is being organized for children in the age group of 5 -15.
Here, children receive training in different nuances of theatre like acting, voice culture, body-language, singing, mime, makeup, dance, drawing, painting, craft, sets and properties by resource persons and subject experts.
This school conducts seven months certificate course from June to December of every year. At the end of each academic year, students of the school perform a full-length drama or a ballet in one of the major auditoria of Bengaluru.
A special program is organised every 2 months during the course. These special programs are designed to
channelize the creativity of children. The events are as follows:
1. Chitrakathana: Chitrakathana is a festival of stories inspired by paintings.
The class is divided into groups and each group creates a group painting (mixed medium). The paintings are shuffled among the groups in such a manner that each of the group gets a painting created by another group.
Each group weaves stories based on the painting they get. Not only do they weave the stories, but they also present it in front of the audience in a narrative manner (Katha style)
This event aims at developing creative thinking among children and also emphasizes the importance of teamwork and storytelling.
2. Bombe Habba: Bombe Habba derives the name from the traditional festival of Karnataka - Dasara. During the festival, every household in Karnataka decorates their house by arranging traditional dolls for display. On a similar concept, we at the school organize a play fest by children for public display during the Dasara holidays.
The class is divided into groups and those groups are given topics. Based on the given topics, groups script short plays. These short plays are written by the children. Not only do they write they also direct these plays, do the sets, handle the lights and also invite the guests. The entire play fest is organized by the children.
Children get a first-hand experience in organizing events as they manage the show all by themselves. This develops their creative thinking and gives them a hands-on experience in both front-end and back-end of plays.
3. Major Production: All children in the class participate either in a full-length play or a ballet directed by the dedicated professionals at Vijayanagara Bimba. This event takes place in one of the major auditoria of Bengaluru.
Chinnara Chittara
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Chinnara Chavadi
Chinnara Chaavadi is a summer theatre workshop for children of the age group 8– 15 years is held every summer for 15 days from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
Around 100 children participate in this workshop and interact with subject experts in various subjects related to theatre such as acting, voice culture, singing, mime, makeup, dance, drawing, painting and craft. Along with all these fun activities, students participate in a Major Production, a Play or Ballet directed by eminent directors
The following events are conducted during the 15 days:
1. Chilipili Makkala Kavimela: Chilipili is children’s poet meet. In this event, children write their own poems and recite it in front of renowned poets who preside over the meet. The poems which are recited are also documented in the form of a book.
This programme aims at rekindling literary spirit in children. Before the event children are introduced to various forms of poetry, great poets and their works. This is an effort to create awareness among children about our glorious cultural heritage and literature.
Many Kannada poets have presided over the meet.
Dr. Lakshminarayana Bhatta, Dr. H. S. Venkatesh Murthy, B .R. Lakshman Rao, Dr. L. G. Meera, Dr. Vijaya Subbaraj, Sumathindra Nadig, Jaraganahalli Shivashankar, Jayanth Kaikini, Dr. L. N. Mukund Raj, H. L. Pushpa, etc. have presided over the meets in the past years.
2. Media Habba: This is a media workshop organised within Chinnara Chavadi and is the first of its kind. This media workshop concentrates mainly on exploring the possibilities of print media and online media.
Children get hands-on experience in newspaper reporting, designing of newspapers, report writing etc
They also participate in and get a practical experience of Stop Motion Animation, Live TV reporting and Radio Broadcasting.
3. Major Production: Apart from the interactive classes and special programmes, Chinnara Chavadi culminates with a production - a play or a ballet directed by eminent directors