GUWAHATI, Oct 17 - The sixth National Theatre Festival for Children and Adolescents organised under the aegis of Guwahati Sishu Natya Vidyalaya in collaboration with UNICEF Assam, got under way at the Rabindra Bhawan here this evening.
The four-day event will conclude on October 21.
Governor Banwarilal Purohit formally inaugurated the theatre festival, which started with the staging of the opening day�s play Uchida Hanjallo, a Manipuri drama directed by L Satyajit and staged by Soraren Repertory Theatre. The second play of the evening was Ami Pohar Bisari Palo directed by Tapan and Gunajit and staged by Guwahati Sishu Natya Vidyalaya.
In his address, the Governor stressed the importance of children�s drama in sensitising the masses on the issues concerning children and adolescents and bringing those into sustained focus.
Pointing out that the incidence of atrocity on women is the highest in India in South East Asia, the Governor said that merely shouting the slogan �Beti Bachao, Beti Parhao� would bring no positive change unless it is implemented on the ground and the people change their mindset towards the girl child.
�Drama can be the medium through which to send out this message loud and clear,� he observed. He added that children�s drama can play a big role in effecting mental and intellectual development in the child.
There will be special shows for children from 11 am on all the five days.
The inaugural session was attended by a host of artistes including Arun Sharma, Sameer Pawar of UNICEF, Dilip Bora, Jiten Sarma, etc.
Tomorrow�s plays include Vokatta, a Bengali play to be staged by Jalpaiguri Kalakaushali and School Bag by United Artists of Tezpur.
