They were asked to present an impromptu play on Mahatma Gandhi. They succeeded by putting up an impressive show and also managed to elicit loud cheers.
The actors of the play were a group of students who participated in a study camp jointly organised on Sunday by the Information and Public Relations Department and the Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi at Gandhi Bhavan in Thycaud in connection with the Gandhi Jayanti week-long celebrations.
The workshop was led by Raja Warrier, a professor of theatre at the University of Kerala, to nurture the creativity of the participant at the camp.
Based on poem
Dr. Warrier chose the poem ‘Gandhijiyum Kushtarogiyum,’ written by N.V. Krishna Warrier on which the children’s play was based.
The interaction that Mahatma Gandhi had with a leper in a village in north India formed the setting of the play. The play began with Gandhi spending the early hours of the day with prayers and by working on his ‘charkha’ (spinning wheel). Later, he pays a visit to an ailing leper, who has been neglected, to enquire on his plight. He shares a few light moments with the leper who responds with much joy. The scene is witnessed by a small crowd, which had gathered in the area. They express their admiration for Gandhi.
The play sought to convey the compassion that Mahatma Gandhi had for humanity, especially those who were marginalised and often neglected.
Around 30 students participated in the play and the role of Gandhi was donned by Senil Muhammed, a student of the Civil Services Academy. Earlier in the day, camp director K.G. Jagadeesan conducted a class on the topic ‘Gramaswaraj and Swadeshi’. Other sessions were led by G. Sadanandan and A. Saraswathibai. The participants of the camp will visit the khadi silk weaving unit at Parassala on Monday. Poet Sugathakumari will be the chief guest at the valedictory of the programme later in the day.
