Ranga Shankara’s Play for Children

Reiterating their commitment of bringing the sustained theatre for children, Ranga Shankara and Britannia proudly announced an array of new events under the AHA!, the Theatre For Children programme for children in the age group 20 months – 14 years.
The AHA! International Theatre for Children opens on Aug 26 and runs up to Sep 6, with top-notch plays from Germany, Argentina and Australia coming down to India for the first time. Along with this, the festival also showcases the best of Theatre for Children from India too. “We feel it is extremely important for children to get an exposure to theatre forms like Kattaikuttu of Tamil Nadu and Yakshagana of Karnataka. Also, I am happy that that festival will be opened by the all-time favourite in Kannada, “Lakshapati Rajana Kathe”, directed by B Jayashri”, said Arundhati Nag, the Creative Director of Ranga Shankara.
One of the highlights of the festival is the play, “The Great Lalula” Schnawwl Theater Mannheim’s (Germany) charming production for infants 20-months and more. Apart from just showcasing this play, Ranga Shankara has also scheduled a workshop for Pedagogues from around India to learn the craft from “The Great Lalula’s” German creators.
Ranga Shankara has had a rich journey over the past 5 years creating a path breaking space in Bangalore for the best theatre not only from troupes in Bangalore and the country but also presenting international productions. Initiated in ’06, AHA! has reached out to the very special audience of children and young adults over the age group of 6 years for whom expression plays in different ways and which are vibrant, colourful and alive.
Also in the festival:
From the excellent theatre-makers at the renowned Schnawwl Theatre, Mannheim, comes another play  “Garbage Mouse”, a delightful performance designed for the wit and imagination of 3 year olds and above. “The Stones” is performed in English by one of Australia’s top-ranking troupe – Zeal Theatre. Argentina sends a super-hit play with no language, called “Pirates’ Code”. The well-known theatre form from Tamil Nadu, Kattaikuttu will present a delightful show by its youth wing.
Another fascinating play that will premiere at the festival  is one of Ranga Shankara’s own productions, titled ‘Zapperdockel and the Wock ‘. Ranga Shankara has put together a top-notch team for this play -- Padmavati Rao and Balaji Manohar as actors, Kumaresh of Ganesh-Kumaresh pair as the musicians, and Anurupa Roy of Kat Katha for the puppets. This play is in collaboration with Goethe Institut/ Max Muellar Bhavan and is directed by Wally and Paul Schmidt, the directors of Salz und Pffefer, Nuremberg, Germany.

Exciting Ancillary Events:
And if all this were not enough to satiate the aesthetic needs of our young and energetic audience, renowned theatre practitioner Kirtana Kumar has put together a fantastic programme around the plays  Seminars, Workshops, a fantastic open forum for children on "Internet and New Media" and much more.
There is a symposium on Theatre Pedagogy for Children, a workshop on Participation & Child Rights, a public forum by children on The Internet & New Media, a cheeky workshop for parents facilitated by child & adolescent psychiatrist Dr.Shekar Sheshadri titled “Why Theatre?!” a Theatre Training Initiative for Teachers and platform performances and events every evening by the young ones.
There will be shows for schools in the morning hours (schools to contact Ranga Shankara at aha.rangashankara@gmail.com for booking) and shows for children and parents in the evenings.
The month of August and September will therefore bring an unexpected spring season to the children where they will not just witness some good theatre but actively participate, learn and grow from the experiences of all the events surrounding the festival.  And along with the children, parents and teachers will briefly see the world through their eyes!
See you all at the action packed 2-weeks at Ranga Shankara!!