Poor students trained in theatre

MYSORE: Students of Government Model Higher Primary School in Kukkarahalli here had been longing to learn the basics of theatre. But they did not know whom to approach to get their concerns addressed. But now they are a happy lot, for they are confident to enact characters in a play. The city-based theatre Niranthara Foundation which has trained children from poor families and backward classes. The schoolchildren will stage a play on 'Pushparani' for two days. The departments of Kannada and culture and public instructions will help them show their talent at 6.30pm at Vanaranga from February 5.Class VIII students Raju Mahadev and Sumanth M said: "We come from poor families. Hitherto, nobody came forward to provide us an opportunity to showcase our talent even in theatre. But Niranthara Foundation, besides teaching us the basics of theatre, has also helped us rehearse the play daily. Now, we are confident enough to stage plays. We are mastering the nuances of body language, acting, etc. We are thankful for Foundation for educating us in theatre".Class VIII students Kruthika G S and Ambika G said that they had stage fear earlier. "But regular practice has made us face the audience without any inhibition. We enjoyed during rehearsals. We played traditional games in between practice," they added.Training organizer and play director Deepak Mysore said most of the trainee students hail from poor families and backward classes. "Children should be initiated to theatre when they are young. Here, we have trained them for a month. We want to encourage them in a big way," he said, adding that they have trained around 1,000 young artistes in the last 18 years.Around 30 schoolchildren are staging the play.