Natak academy to introduce drama class at school

BANGALORE: The Karnataka Natak Academy (KNA), in association with Department of Public Instruction will conduct "Shanivaarada Rangashaale" (Saturday's drama class).Though last year, the academy conducted a 10day workshop at few government schools in three districts, this year the classes will be conducted in a full fledge manner. One period will be dedicated to Drama class.Speaking to TNIE, academy Chairman B V Rajaram said the plan was to conduct drama class on every Saturdays for one hour. It will be part of the curriculam.Rajaram explained that they have trained theatre personalities for the programme. These theatre persons will chose a theme from the text books including Kannada, Science, Social studies and other subjects.A few chapters from the textbooks will be converted into dramas. Theatre persons will give music and the same will be enacted inside school campus.Rajaram further said drama will make studies fun and entertaining for children. "Children will remember their lessons easily. It is easy to remember the subject if they watch than study," he said.The Nataka academy will choose 176 schools, one school from each taluk for the academic year 2011-12."Drama is a medium which needs encouragement. But without it, drama is in a bad state. If we instinct the interest in children, it is easy for them to make career choice when they grow up", said an official from the academy.Mahadeviah, a folk artist suggested there are more than 150 folk forms including dance and music. "It would be nice if the academy can include all these forms of art in the drama. Most of the folk arts needs encouragement", he said.