‘Include theatre as subject in schools'

Theatre personality and Director of Kinnara Mela, a children's cultural organisation of Tumari in Shimoga district, K.G. Krishnamurthy, has stressed on the need to debate on the inclusion of theatre as a subject in schools.

He was delivering a lecture on “Children's theatre and education”, organised by the Yakshagana Kalaranga here.

Mr. Krishnamurthy said that the Government wanted to use theatre as a tool in education and an experience for students.

When students were already burdened with so many subjects, it was doubtful whether parents would like their children to study theatre.However, teachers could use theatre as a tool to teach some topics and subjects. The role of the teacher was similar to that of an actor — to communicate.

The former communicated with students and the latter with the audience. Teachers could vary their voice to make the subjects interesting.

College teachers and advocates who used to take active role in organising dramas had ceased to do so after 1995. With the advent of professionalism in theatre, amateur directors began doubting their own abilities and their interest in theatre declined, he said.

Programme convener S.V. Bhat and Professor in Kannada at SMS College, Brahmavar, K.G. Narayan were present.