By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, May 10: In a distinct initiative of its kind to expose young children to different situations, Doon University has launched an exclusive theatre workshop programme for school going children of all faculty and non-teaching staff.
Under the aegis of Women’s Cell, IQAC, School of Languages and Department of Folk and Performing Arts have come together and launched the two-week theatre workshop for children aged between 4 and 14 years from 9 to 24 May.
The initiative aims at holistic as well as personality development of children through theatre, where they will learn to overcome inhibitions, be socially inclusive and cooperate with others with confidence. The workshop is being conducted by two seasoned experts, Dr Ajit Panwar and Dr Rakesh Bhatt of the Department of Folk and Performing Arts, Doon University.
Dr Panwar has conducted such workshops in the past at different places. Dr Bhatt has also taught confidence building exercises and related activities to children through various workshops conducted in the past. Both the experts have designed the exercises and activities aiming at instilling the children with confidence. These will build up towards a special performance by the children on 24 May.
“Theatre is a suitable medium to awaken the imagination of children. It is also a way of exposing children to difficult situations and prepare them to handle various situations in life,” Doon University Vice Chancellor Professor Surekha Dangwal said at the inaugural ceremony of the workshop.
She said that theatre is an apt medium for firing a child’s imagination, and it helps them articulate themselves holistically. These kinds of activities are essential for the psychological and social growth of the mind, and the developing children stand most to benefit from them.
Dr Chetana Pokhriyal, Coordinator of the School of Languages, said such programmes help the institution in its community outreach efforts and contributing to the growth and development of children is the best way to do so. The children learn valuable personality-building skills, while simultaneously enjoying themselves, she said.
Professor Dangwal said that, being a residential university, it is only logical that children of faculty and other staff members take part in various programmes from time to time.
On the first day, itself, the participating children warmed up to each other and participated in the activities with joyful enthusiasm. Prof HC Purohit, Prof RP Mamgain, Prof Harsh Dobhal, Dr Priti Mishra, Dr Tanvi Negi, Dr Smita Tripathi, Dr Mala Shikha, Dr Gazala Khan, Dr Aditi Bisht, Mehul Rawat, Aporwa Siwali and others were present on the occasion.
