The popular 12-day event will host six foreign and 20 national teams; audience can have one-on-one interactions with directors and actors
Over 500 theatre artistes have gathered in the Capital to celebrate the 13th edition of Jashn-e-Bachpan, a theatre festival dedicated to children. And for the first time since 1998, when the gala was first organised in order to contribute to the development of children's theatre across the country, the event has gone international.
"For the first time, six international teams, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Israel, France and Switzerland, have come to perform at the event," said the organisers. Other than that, 20 national teams are participating in the festival that kicked off on November 14. Organised by the National School of Drama (NSD), the 12-day event features performances both by the children and for the children.
"Children theatre is the most important aspect of theatre expression. Through Jashn-e-Bachpan, we are trying to build the foundation of theatre from the grassroots and inculcate interest in the field among children," NSD Director Waman Kendre said.
At the festival, children from various cultural and demographic backgrounds, including underprivileged sections of society, will get a chance to interact with each other and exchange ideas. "The aim is to bring underprivileged children to the mainstream and inculcate enthusiasm for art and culture," Kendre said.
"I'm really excited about my first international performance," said John, a 17-year-old artiste from Switzerland.
"There was some uncertainty about Pakistan's participation in view of the growing tension at the border following the Uri attack, but we managed to get a nod from both sides. The Pakistan theatre team will perform on November 25," the organisers said.
Teams from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Assam, Rajasthan and Kerala, among others, have brought slices of their culture to the national Capital. "Five professional groups from Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat and Delhi, and schools from the National Capital Region (NCR) have come together to present a special musical performance — Bal-Vrind," the organisers added.
The festival will also give a chance to the audience to have one-on-one interactions with directors and actors to better understand the nuances of the craft. "The idea behind the festival is wonderful. This is the second year in a row that I'm attending it. I have high hopes from the performances this year," said a visitor.
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