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SCHOOL BUZZ
Students come on stage to protect their rights
Smriti Kak
When students take on the responsibility of driving home the message of child exploitation, they make sure the adults sit up and take notice. With a little guidance and their own ingenuity, they create a formula for success. This is precisely what the schoolkids presented at the workshop conducted at the British Council last week, organised on the theme of ‘Safeguarding Childhood’.The schoolchildren from Delhi, Jammu and Punjab got together armed with their talent and managed to leave an impression behind. From using paintings, which voiced the emotions and turbulence, to the plays, in which they gave vent to their feelings, the children captured the attention of the audience. These youngsters were unanimous in their opinion that it is time they gave back something to the society. Being well informed about their rights, they chose to become conscious of their duties and volunteered to spread the awareness about the rights and duties of children to those who are not aware of them. If one poster read “Let me be free because I have the right to be free”, another drew attention to the disparity between the girls and the boys, “why time limits only for me?” The themes of the posters included the need for healthcare and equality of sexes. The most predominant, however, was on the theme of freedom. The plays that were staged also dwelt on the theme of freedom and child rights. A mix of satire, songs and lively performances made the show a complete success. The excitement that the participants exuded was infectious as even the older people could be seen charged up to do their bit.
Sashaying tiny tots
Tiny tots set the ramp afire |
The fashion fraternity has a new member. The ‘gang’ from Kangaroo Kids have recently unveiled their ‘Cool Fashion Collection 2002’, and guess who walked the ramp? Tiny, but smashing models. The models-cum-designers in their electrifying attire has the audience craning their necks for more. The show that was held in the USI auditorium began with a musical skit by the teachers for the stars of the show, naturally the children. Then came the ‘mega’ event. Walking the ramp in outfits based on the theme ‘Hawaii’, the children and their parents took a bow. There was also a great deal of familiarity with the colours and roles happening and one of the themes that had everyone participate was the ‘community helpers’. So, little ones dressed as doctors, sweepers, dhobis and even as bakers walked the ramp. That is not all, the swinging 70s also had the audience put their hands together. The guests for the evening were designers Jattin Kochar and Geetanjali Kashyap. The whole event was brimming with cheer and the dresses picked were a treat. However, what caught the fancy of many was the tiny corner of a diaper peeping from under a hot-hot dress as the toddler swayed to the beats of his favourite music.
Story time with Katha
Children at the workshop, ‘Kathaayan Mazaayan’, organised by Katha. |
We all love to listen to stories. Grandparents, being the storehouses of stories and fables, in most cases are hounded by the children for more and still more. So, for those who are looking for more stories, Katha has good news for you. The ‘Kathaayan Mazaayan’ is an endeavour planned by Katha to offer a special treat for the youngsters. Katha believes that once children, grandparents and other family members shared this interactive space of storytelling — intimate, warm, and memorable. But today, the poor substitute is the television, also called the idiot box by many. To fill that gap that has crept in, Kathaayan Mazaayan has been created. Since storytelling is one of our oldest art forms and sharpens our imagination, stories are the best way to learn about our epics, our religion and our customs. For Katha, it is an initiative to make the imagination more vivid and make learning enjoyable. The first workshop was recently held in the Capital by painter Bulbul Sharma for children between 8 and 12 years where she enthralled the audience with tales of Swapnasundari and the Magical Birds of Mithila by Geeta Dharmarajan. The objective was to raise consciousness among children on issues concerning environment through Indian Literature. The session began with Bulbul Sharma reading out the story to the children that talked of the enchanted kingdom of Mithila where lived a beautiful princess called Swapnasundari. The children were also made to participate by means of an activity where they were divided into groups of six and were given cartridge sheets to make their living tree and simultaneously painted the living tree on a wall. The aim of such a project is to focus on techniques of becoming a storyteller. The stress will be on acquiring extra storytelling skills, to help participants find out stories or think up stories of their own, so that they can seek information on stories and storytelling resources, and create a platform for peer workshop on storytelling and personality development through theatre workshops and demonstrations. It will build bonds between children, parents and grandparents by giving them a common medium to interact and familiarise children, teenagers and adults with Indian literature and create awareness about our myths, customs and traditions. Workshops will be conducted at the Katha Centre. The activities formulated are: Premchand ka Pitara (Story Swappers Club): This will be featured once a month at IK International, (Green Park), Funkie Orbit (Ansal Plaza), Full Circle (Khan Market), Quickys and Katha Centre. Lok Nritya Natak: Organised once in six months, the initiative will invite and promote traditional storytelling artistes like Pandavani performers, Kathavachaks, and Bahrupias. Dana Dini Club: For dadas, dadis, nanas, and nanis, this will take place once a month at old age homes and Katha Centre. It will focus on creating a forum through clubs/associations, and establish the grandparents’ network of dadas, dadis, nanas and nanis who will come together and share their stories, the morals and the art of telling a story. Katha Theatre workshops: This will again be held once a week at the same places as Premchand’s Pitara. Dhwani: This is about the art and craft of storytelling and will be conducted once a month at IK International (Green Park), Full Circle (Khan Market) and Katha Centre. This will focus on what we tell, and how we tell the story.
Pre-School opened
Jagjit Singh with the pre-school children at Stamford Children’s World. |
Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh inaugurated a pre-school, aiming to provide quality education to students in the Capital, last week. The school, Stamford Children’s World, has adopted the Reggio Emilia approach, which originated in Italy around World War II and is the brainchild of Sandeep and Parul Sood. Taking a cue from the moto, ‘Every Child Can Learn’, the school has unique features like an atelier (art studio), where children can learn and work on different themes and subjects with varied mediums. The school is also in the process of setting up a swimming pool, an auditorium, and a bowling alley to help in the overall development of the child.
CM lauds studentsThe Delhi Chief Minister, Ms Shiela Dikshit, applauded the students of Modern School, Barakhamba for their detailed project work done in the field of environment and water conservation. Presenting the Vinod Dikshit Foundation Award to the students, she said that the students have a vital role to play in the conservation of environment and in helping curb pollution. Among those who won the certificates and the momentous award are Akshay Khatri, Tushar Bhargava, Sovna Mittal, Anisha, Sonal, Shrishti, Ishan, Manhar and
Rishav. 
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