All the world’s a stage

Life-size puppets,song,dance,theatre,laughter,music — grounds and corridors here are buzzing with activity,with the mega show just a day away. For Utkarsh Marwah,the festival director,staging such a show in Chandigarh is a dream come true. Marwah is a an integral part of the International Children’s Theatre Festival held in Delhi every year in collaboration with Indian Council for Cultural Relations,which sees children’s theatre companies from across the world perform at various venues across Delhi.

“We have all come together to present ideas,dreams and hopes through dance,music and drama,thereby giving these students world-class exposure,” says Marwah,who has been participating in such performances around the world for last 12 years.

One of the highlights of the festival is a ballet called ‘Vande Matram’,which has a medley of dances from various countries. Besides,Marwah is directing a Broadway-style musical,Kitabe Karti Hain Batien ,which takes children who dislike books on a journey to “bookland”,to make them discover the joys of learning.

The students are excited to be able to explore various moves under the guidance of their international trainers. “Though initially I was shy of dancing,I feel like a mover-and-shaker now,’’ smiles Anant,one of the participants.

Many of the trainers here are professional dancers and actors,while some are dance students — and all of them are equally excited — trying to bring out the best in children. “The focus is on children,and we’re working according to individual interests,’’ smiles Janina Takkinon,a modern dancer who is mentoring a group of 11-year-olds.

On the other hand,Takkinon from Finland is mixing contemporary moves with whatever students know of their own traditional dances.

“For three days,these students will get to explore a brand new side of themselves,while for trainers also,it will be an enriching cultural exchange,’’ says Marwah.

The three-day festival kicks off on July 22 at Tagore Theatre.