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Young World
Absorb an ancient art form
SWETHA M.N. AND ASHA MAVINASARA
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This camp not only introduced the kids to Yakshagana but also to Indian mythology.
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Vibrant dance: Yakshagana
Come vacation and summer camps spring up at every street corner. They teach just about everything, from ballet to boxing. But the summer camp conducted by Yakshadegula struck a different note. It introduced children from the city to the ancient art of Yakshagana. Yakshadegula, a cultural organisation committed to reviving and propagating the art of Yakshagana for over two decades in Bangalore, had organised a workshop called “Yaksha Prasadhana” earlier this month in Shantiniketan School in Girinagar. This camp gave children an opportunity to absorb not just the colourful art form, but through it, also aspects of Indian mythology.
From the epic
The children at the camp were trained to perform the play “Abhimanyu Chakravyuha.” Some of the participants were as young as ten.
The most attractive part of Yakshagana are the colourful and dazzling costumes and ornaments. Not many know how much skill and labour goes into the making of these tiny pieces of wood and clothes. The present generation of artistes lack the basic knowledge on why certain types of costumes and ornaments are used for certain characters. Special attention was paid on this aspect as well at the workshop, said Radhakrishna Urala, who trained the participants in Yakshagana dance. Based on their age, the children between 5 and 15 years were split into four groups and trained separately, he said.
Children were also trained in Yoga, meditation, creative craft, singing and various styles of dancing, puppetry and mimicry.
The older children were taught more practical skills such as aero-modelling and computer science.
Shwetha Sumanth, a teacher at the summer camp said: “I teach Std. X students, but interacting with the smaller children is a totally different experience.
Non formal
Such summer camps help them come out of their shell and communicate much better. It’s not a formal environment and hence they can be themselves.
They not only enjoy themselves but also learn a lot at the same time."
Ganesha, a young boy playing Abhimanyu, was excited by the prospect of learning lines by rote and playing the “hero” on stage. Amoolya, another participant, said that the best part of the programme was that she made friends with children who were not from her school.
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