Children's Theatre

A vibrant children's theatre movement

No longer are academics and bookish knowledge the only raison d'etre of schools. All over Bangladesh, as in several Asian countries, the focus has shifted to promoting young talents in artistic spheres such as music, art, painting and theatre. Parents and teachers alike are elated at the cultural strides made by the present day youngsters. Take a look at the children's theatre scenario, for instance. In this art form, quality and quantity have combined to give the picture of a vibrant theatre movement for the younger generation.

'Theatre is one of the prime means for personality development in children. This form of art enables the performer to know oneself, others, society and life in general,' says prominent theatre personality Liaquat Ali Lucky, the Secretary General of the Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation (BGTF) and People's Theatre Association (PTA) and director of People's Little Theatre (PLT).

At the moment the children's theatre movement is riding high. Following the conclusion of a cultural visit to Dhaka by Cuban children in April, a group of Bangladeshi children ( aged between six-14 years) will wing their way to Havana. As part of the Social Harmony project of PTA and La Colmenita, Cuba's renowned children's theatre group, the children are set to leave Dhaka on July 12, a week prior to the Eighth World Amateur Children's Theatre Festival. The aim of the seven-day programme is to give the performers enough time to put together a fusion programme based on music, dance and theatre.

The PLT--the only children's group from Bangladesh and Asia--will stage Aamader Prithibi. The play is written by Sabina Bari Lucky and directed by Liaquat Ali Lucky. In the latter's words, 'Havana hosts a unique festival. By taking part in such functions, held every two years, the children can learn about the theatre of other countries. The wide appreciation that we have received in previous such festivals is a major boost for the new generation.'

One of the prime movers of the children's theatre movement is the PLT. Since it was established in 1990, the organisation has produced 18 plays, performed not only in Dhaka but in different places in Bangladesh. PLT participated and co-organised with PTA five national children theatre festivals in Dhaka. It also stakes a claim for fame as the only children's organisation which popularised children's theatre of Bangladesh. Now on the cards is the Cuban festival as well as the Asia Pacific Theatre Festival for children between August 1-6, 2004. The venue is Toyama city, Japan.

Among the key works of PLT are Vijay Tendulkar's Bobby, Tagore's Raja O Rajdrohee and Tasher Desh.

Yet, despite the enormous strides being made in children's theatre in recent time, there are still miles to go. As Lucky says, the patronage of this form of drama is conspicuous by its absence. To quote him, 'Many cultural organisations spend money from their own pockets to promote theatre. I feel that semi-government organisations such as the Shishu Academy, Women & Children Affairs Ministry, national and international companies, affluent people and guardians should pitch in to support children's theatre.'