By Utpal Borpujari/ New Delhi
With Lok Sabha elections less than a year away, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s constituency Varanasi has got a new extension centre of National School of Drama (NSD) which will start operating from this academic session.
Considered a hub of classical music, theatre and several other forms performing arts, Varanasi has been seen several prominent cultural events since 2014 when Narendra Modi won the Lok Sabha polls from there.
The NSD extension centre will provide one year training on Indian Classical Theatre and Natyashashtra. Initially, it will run from a rented accommodation at Shree Nagri Natak Mandali, Kabeer Chawra, and the session will commence from August, NSD said in a statement.
The centre’s curriculum will include Introduction to the Classical Theatre of the World (Greek, Roman etc.) and Introduction to Indian Classical Theatre, Natyashashtra, Bhas (Urubhangam, Swapanavasavadattam), Kaalidasa (Abhijnanashakuntalam or Malavikagnimitram), Shudraka (Mrichchhkatikam), and Bodhayana (Bhagwadjjukiyam or Mattavilasam).
The centre will also teach study of Navras, theatre music, folk theatre traditions, NSD said. In Study of Navras, there will be conversations with directors on recorded Sanskrit plays such as Urubhangam, Abhijnanashakuntalam and Madhyamvyayog.
Among folk theatre traditions to be taught at the centre are Ramleela (Ramnagar), Rasleela, Nautanki – Uttar Pradesh, Bhavai – Gujarat, Dashavatar, Tamasha – Maharashtra, Ankiya Nat – Assam, Khyal – Rajasthan, Kathakali – Kerala, Terekuttu – Tamil Nadu, Sumang Leela, Ramleela – Manipur, Yakshgan – Karnataka, Chhau – Odisha,
The centre will have a capacity of 20 studetns, who will get a monthly scholarship of Rs 4,500.