About this course and introductions
About the course
When It is said playwriting in this course, it is not only to the activity called writing. Because the focus of this course is on creating a new play. When It is said participative, it means that the credit of the play is shared by many. Then who is the playwright here?
The playwright
The playwright is the one who carries the developing play in his mind. He makes essential notes, does necessary changes when required.
The playwright will assemble every small part in the process and will create the final draft. In this method, the playwright is a director too.
The children's theatre practitioner
Imagine you as a children's theatre practitioner here. This position is a combination of a playwright, a director, a theatre volunteer, and a friend philosopher for children. So you need to know the theatre as an art form.
Study theatre
- Study theatre to understand more about life, literature, music, and aesthetics.
- Study theatre, as you know, it is the rehearsal of revolution!
- Study it as it will serve as a mirror for your mind.
- It will take you to every little corner of the known and imaginary world.
Do children's theatre and revisit your childhood.
- Do children's theatre because you care for them.
- Do it as there are very few who find time for children.
- This valuable time which you share with them will rejuvenate you and definitely will make you younger and happier for sure.
- It will take you back to your childhood.
Revisit your childhood. We wish you all the best!
Course schedule
Dear friends, we have organized the course on six topics. They unfold in chronological order, following the steps one can take to create theatre with children. As we move forward, each new module will open. At the end of each module, we have a forum for discussion. Here you can start a conversation. We have also asked you a question for reflection, which we hope will help us begin a conversation around children's' theatre.
There are no quizzes or grades to this course, but we will measure your participation based on your engagement in the discussions!
Meet your facilitator
Dr. Rajendra Chavan
I am a physician
practicing medicine in a rural area in India. I feel that health is
complete when the mind and surroundings are healthy. Art and theater
bring happiness to everyone and are as important (and contribute to) physical health.
I have been practicing children's theater for the last 30 years.
As I had participated in theater throughout my school days, I know how satisfying the experience is. I have for a long time, been doing theater with children and have observed that it improves their lives. Efforts to make a good play helps in the development of a creative mind.
With this course, I want to spread
this idea and make every child, parent, and teacher experience it as well!
I speak both English and Marathi (which you will see in some of our videos).
You will find a short introduction to my work in a youtube video here.
Think Maharashtra - Dr. Rajendra Chavan
We are attaching the translation of the narration in this video from Marathi to English here. Also, find the text in Marathi of the narrative in the video.
डॉक्टर राजेंद्र चव्हाण हे देशावरचे. मुंबईत डॉक्टरी शिकले आणि कणकवलीजवळच्या आडगावात विसावले. सिंधुदुर्गातील कलासक्त आणि रसिक वातावरणात चव्हाणांमधील कलाकार बहरू लागला. त्यांनी तिथल्या दुर्लक्षित उपेक्षित मुलांना सोबत घेऊन अनेक बालनाट्ये बसवली. ‘नवे नवे आकाश हवे’, ‘आर्यता’, ‘फास्ट फॉरवर्ड’, ‘पौर्णिमा’, ‘माणसाच्या गोष्टीची गोष्टं’, ही त्यातील काही लक्षवेधी उदाहरणं. त्यांच्या नाटकांनी बॅ. नाथ पै या एकांकिका स्पर्धेत गेल्या बावीस वर्षात चौदा वेळा पहिला क्रमांक पटकाविला.
Dr. Rajendra Chavan is from interior Maharashtra. He trained as a doctor in Mumbai and then settled in a village near Kankavli in coastal Maharashtra. His own creativity flourished in the artistically and culturally rich environment in Sindhudurg. He brought together disregarded and underprivileged children to write and direct several plays. Some notable titles of his plays are translated as “We want a new sky”, “Aryata”, “Fast Forward”, “A full moon’s night”, “The story of the humankind’s story”. Chavan’s plays have won the first prize at the Barrister Nath Pai competition in 14 of the past 22 years.
‘मन पाण्याचे’ या नाटकातील दृश्य:
A scene from the play “A mind of water”:
जोतिबा: | या, पाहिजे तेवढे पाणी घ्या. आजपासून ही विहीर तुमची. Come, have as much water as you like. This well belongs to you now. |
रानबा: | नगं तात्यासाब, आमची घागर तुमच्या पान्यात नगं No no, Tatyasaheb. Let’s not use our pots in your water. |
जोतिबा: | का रे बाबा? Why is that? |
रानबा: | इटाळ हुईल, पाप लागंल … That would contaminate your water. It would be a sin. |
जोतिबा: | कोणाला? मला? लागुदे! A Sin? For whom? Me? That’s okay. |
रानबा: | तसं न्हवं; आमालाबी No, it’s not like that. For us too. |
जोतिबा: | कुणी सांगितलं? Who told you this? |
रानबा: | तसं पोथीत लिवलंया It's written in the ancient texts. |
जोतिबा: | तू वाचलंस? Did you read these texts? |
रानबा: | आमाला कुटं वाचायला येतंया? परं समदी म्हनत्याती I don’t even know how to read. But everyone says so. |
जोतिबा: | तेच तर आहे ना! तुम्हाला गुलाम बनवण्याचं कारस्थान आहे ते. आणि हे कारस्थान कळू नये म्हणून तुम्हाला शिकूच द्यायचं नाही. अरे, माणसाला लाचार बनवतो तो कसला धर्म? घ्या, भरा पाणी. But that's where the trick is. This is all a conspiracy to keep you suppressed. And to keep this conspiracy in the wraps, you’re being prevented from receiving any education. What kind of faith is it if it makes you helpless? Come, take some water. |
रानबा: | तात्यासाब, आजुनबी खरं वाटंना … सपान पडल्यागत वाटाय लागलंया. Tatyasaheb, I still cannot believe this. This feels like a dream. |
जोतिबा: | अरे रानबा, आमचं पाणी, तुमचं पाणी असं काही नसतं रे! घ्या खुशाल पाणी भरा. Listen to me Ranba, there is no such thing as ‘my water’ and ‘your water’. It is all ours! Don't hesitate at all! Take some water. |
मन पाण्याचे पाण्याचे
मन वाहते वाहते
मन तुषार तुषार
मन उंच उंच जाते)
Like a clear stream,
The mind flows
Like soaring droplets
The mind flies
त्यांच्या कामानं नंदू माधव, मोहन वाघ, श्रीराम लागू असे रंगकर्मी प्रभावित झाले. रूपवेध प्रतिष्ठाननं तन्वीर नाट्यधर्मी पुरस्कार देऊन त्यांच्या कामावर श्रीराममुद्रा उमटवली. डॉक्टरांनी तेवढ्याच निष्ठेनं गोरगरीबांसाठी वैद्यकीय सेवा चालू ठेवली आहे. त्यांना चित्रकला, संगीत वगैरे अनेक क्षेत्रात चांगली गती आहे. आपल्या जगण्यातील आनंद इतरांसोबत वाटणारा हा आनंदधर्मीच!
His work has impressed prominent artists like Nandu Madhav, Mohan Wagh, and Shriram Lagoo. He was presented with the prestigious Tanveer Natyadharmi award by the Roopvedh foundation. Even as a doctor, Chavan continues his medical practice diligently. His creative talent extends to other fields like painting and music. He truly is a believer in sharing the joys of his life with everyone around him.