With temperatures at an all time high, children taking part in the ‘Chinnara Mela’ enjoyed playing ‘Bannada Okuli’ as part of the valedictory of the month-long theatre training camp at Rangyana yesterday. Children were seen spraying coloured water on each other much to their delight.

Earlier, delivering the valedictory address, Theatre Person and Director Shashank Soghal remembered his younger days during which he had taken part in the Chinnara Mela for continuous seven years and added that the annual summer camp had played pivotal role in him entering the world of art and entertainment.

Shanshank, who rose to fame with his directorial debut movie ‘Daredevil Mustafa’ entertained the children with the song ‘Ondu Totadalli Nooru Hoovu Arali…’ from the same movie.

Speaking on the occasion, Chamarajanagar’s Deenabandhu Trust Founder Prof. G.S. Jayadeva asked children if they had developed friendship at the ‘Chinnara Mela’ and said that friendship was to understand each other. “At schools there is a competition among the students to score marks. In Rangayana, it is an opportunity to see life beyond class rooms,” he added.

Delivering her introductory speech, Rangayana Deputy Director Nirmala Mathapati said that Rangayana had been organising ‘Chinnara Mela’ for the past 25 years and added that among the parents who had joined their children to the annual camp, a few of them have been a part of the ‘Chinnara Mela’ during their childhood.

“The demand for ‘Chinnara Mela’ has not seen a decline since the very first year as we have been promoting theatre and related activities among the young minds. This year a total of 320 children had taken part in the summer camp which was held for a period of 25 days,” she added.

‘Chinnara Mela’ participants Parikshith and Abhilasha and parents of participating children Dr. Priyanka and Vishwa Aradhya shared their opinion about the theatre camp. Department of Kannada and Culture Director Dr. K. Dharanidevi Malagatti presided over the event. ‘Chinnara Mela’ Convenor Geetha Montadka was present.