A joint initiative of Indian Theatre Foundation and Hardwicke PU College, with veteran Theatre Director Prasanna being the main driving force

Mysore/Mysuru: Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi has opined, “There have been a number of theatre artistes in Northern part of the State too, who if encouraged further can be brought to the mainstream of the society. Hence, the Indian Institute of Educational Theatre, without restricting itself to Southern part of the State, should extend theatre education to Northern part too.”

Minister Tangadagi came out with this opinion during the inauguration of Indian Institute of Educational Theatre, set up by Indian Theatre Foundation in association with Hardwicke PU College in the city, on Monday.

Minister Tangadagi released the poster of National Children’s Theatre Festival organised from Sept. 19 to 24 at Mysuru, Bengaluru, Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts, and said: “Theatre plays a key role in awakening of the society. In this wake, it is our utmost responsibility to strengthen theatre and shall provide all the required help.”

Theatre Director and Managing Trustee of Indian Theatre Foundation, Prasanna, said: “The Institute has begun with the assistance of the State Government and the posters of upcoming Children’s Theatre Festival were released by the Minister. If the Government joins hands, the Institute will emerge as one of the best in the country.”

Indian Institute of Educational Theatre is a first of its kind in the country, set up on a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model. Experts from within the country and abroad will take part in the deliberations. The upcoming Children’s Theatre Festival costs Rs. 1.25 crore and Premji Foundation alone has contributed Rs. 25 lakh. Besides, various theatre artistes and general public are also doing their mite, with we ourselves sourcing half of the funds. The remaining half of the funds, should be borne by Kannada and Culture Department, appealed Prasanna.

Karnataka is the home of theatre in the country and Indian Institute of Educational Theatre wants to give a fillip to theatre activities. The present burden of learning should be made lighter for students, so that they will be encouraged towards active learning, said Prasanna.

The inaugural session was followed by staging of the play ‘Kuppalli Putta’ by the artistes of Indian Institute of Educational Theatre.

Theatre persons Neema and Indira Nair and Mysuru Book Clubs and Mysuru Literary Forum Charitable Trust Founder Shubha Sanjay Urs were present during the inaugural function.