Mysore/Mysuru: Stressing on the need for engaging children in cultural activities at a young age, senior theatre artiste Indira Nayar expressed concern that failure to do so may lead to children resort to cruelty and such other violent acts.

She was speaking at the inauguration of ‘Sahaja Ranga’, a theatre training camp for college students organised by the city’s Nirantara Foundation at Manasagangothri’s Gandhi Bhavan here yesterday.

Maintaining that attracting young minds to the theatre will help them in building a constructive and value-based society, Indira Nayar said it is heartening to note that Nirantara Foundation has been organising such theatre training camps for the past 14 years. Asserting  that students have to climb the ladder of success in the theatre step by step, she called upon the participants not to take a big leap straightaway. She wished the theatre group all success in its endeavour.

University of Mysore’s Centre for Gandhian Studies Director Prof. M.S. Shekar, who spoke after inaugurating the workshop, said that humanity is fast declining in the present day society. Regretting that affection and bonding between people is on the wane, he said that distrust can be seen everywhere in the society in these days.

 Maintaining that an unnatural life has led to the creation of an unhealthy society, he bemoaned that people are leading a mechanical life. Stressing on the need for sharing the joys and difficulties among the population, he observed that we should adjust our lives according to nature and environment.

More than 40 college students are taking part in this month-long workshop.

Nirantara Foundation’s Prasad Kunduru, Suguna, Deepak and Srinivas, Bengaluru Hasiru Foundation’s Honagalli  Gangadhar and others were present.