24 February,2010 10:40 AM IST | | Aviva Dharmaraj
At the Kathputli utsav 2010, get a Giraffe to extol the virtues of exerciseu00a0 and a mouse tou00a0 expound on friendship to your six-year-old while peppy bollywood numbers play in the background
The Malti Jayant Dalal Centre in Santacruz wears a festive look. Life-size cutouts have replaced classroom benches, and large, colourful posters with drawings of animals have been pinned onto notice boards. Pre-primary school teacher trainees bustle about in fancy costumes with the tips of their noses painted black, and whiskers dramatically drawn across their cheeks. The institute's annual week-long programme is in full swing.
"We're looking forward to welcoming over 2,000 children in the next few days," says Jayashree Kapil, Director, Malti Jayant Dalal Centre for Pre-primary Teachers' Education, referring to the Kathputli Utsav 2010 that starts today.
The annual fest, which started back in the '80s is an attempt to equip teachers and parents with the skills required to raise children in a nurturing environment. "The idea is to make learning joyful and allow the child to flower naturally," says Jayashree.
The virtues of sharing, courage, compassion, and even exercise are among the themes that will be touched upon in the Kathputli Utsav.
"There will also be two plays put up by our trainees," adds Jayashree. So, kids get to learn along with Cunning Chalu the Wolf that it never pays to be sneaky, and the importance of staying down-to-earth courtesy Pintu Pehelwan the Mouse. "One of the primary goals of education is to equip students with skills that will allow them to make balanced decisions in life to help maximize their potential," says Jayashree.
Fun is an integral part of learning at the Centre, so expect to hear familiar Bollywood tunes and nursery rhymes set to wacky lyrics, thrown in for good measure.
On: Today
Till: 27 February, from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm
At: Smt Kapila Khandvala College of Education, Santacruz (W)
Entry: Rs 15 for children and Rs 25 for adults (for two performances)
