The coastal town of Udupi is set to come alive with youthful creativity as it prepares to host the annual 'Makkala Natakotsava' or Children's Theatre Festival. This vibrant cultural event, scheduled for December 29 and 30, will witness the enthusiastic participation of more than 250 high school students from 11 different educational institutions.
A Stage for Young Talent
The festival will be held at the Nutana Ravindra Mantapa located within MGM College. Students have been rigorously preparing to present a diverse array of 11 plays. The announced lineup includes thought-provoking dramas such as 'Pushpa Rani', 'Kadina Pakshi Pyatege Banthu', 'Alilu Mariya Horalu Seve', 'Katthale Nagara Thaleketta Raja', and 'End Illada Band Avathara'. This platform is designed to showcase the theatrical prowess and narrative skills of young performers.
Expanding the Festival's Reach
During a press conference held on Friday, Pradeep Chandra Kuthpady, the general secretary of Rangabhoomi Udupi, provided key insights into the event's growth. He revealed that since its inception last year, students from 12 schools have been part of the Makkala Natakotsava journey. Organizers had aimed to include even more schools this edition, but factors like heavy monsoon rains and academic pressures posed challenges. Additionally, teachers' involvement in the social and educational survey limited their availability to guide student troupes.
Kuthpady also announced an exciting extension to the festival. Renowned professional troupe Neenasam will perform two plays—'Hrudayada Theerpu' and 'Avatharanam Bhranthalayam'—on December 31 and January 1. These special performances will take place at the Infosys Foundation Yakshagana Development, Training and Research Centre Building, offering a professional theatrical experience to the audience.
Beyond the Stage: Building Confidence and Skills
The festival's impact extends far beyond the final curtain call. Pradeep Chandra Kuthpady emphasized the transformative power of theatre training for the participants. "Students were trained in theatre and they are now confident in presenting shows," he stated. Through dedicated practice, the young actors have acquired new artistic skills and experienced significant personality development.
He made a compelling case for parental support, urging families to encourage children to engage in such extracurricular activities. Notably, he shared an encouraging observation: the academic performance of students who participated in last year's drama festival showed marked improvement. This highlights the holistic benefits of theatre arts, fostering discipline, focus, and creative thinking that positively influence scholastic achievements.
The press conference was also attended by Rangabhoomi president Tallur Shivaram Shetty and vice-president Bhaskar Rao Kidiyoor, underscoring the organization's commitment to nurturing cultural education among the youth of Udupi.
