Ranga Shankara's festival for children offers kids loads of surprises and opportunities this monsoon

For once, when the kids say 'play' they will not be meaning going out and rolling in the mud or whatever it is that constitutes their playtime activity. It will, however, still be all about some dramatic moments.

From August 26, Ranga Shankara is hosting AHA! International Theatre for Children Festival and bringing fresh talent on stage.



The genesis
Ranga Shankara planned its first children's shows in 2006. These were aimed at reaching out to children and families. The overwhelming response led to the initiative becoming a regular affair, with plays and workshops organised for kids every year.

The next step
Through AHA!, over 1,500 children from different backgrounds get to benefit from plays and programmes.

"AHA! believes in giving children theatre that is as professional and complex as theatre for adults there are no compromises on quality, no talking down, no cutting corners," says Arundhati Nag, creative director of Ranga Shankara.

"For Ranga Shankara, AHA! is on top of our agenda. Continuous activity for children in the form of plays, workshops (for both children and teachers), international theatre and puppetry fests, outreach and exchange programs are planned under AHA!," she adds.



What to expect
We list here events only till August 30:

Aug 26: Lakshapati Rajana Kathe, a play; Mela by Theatre of Children Lab, Carnatic ensemble
Aug 27: Why theatre for children? A talk for sceptical parents. Performance by band Genuine Fakes and storytelling.
Aug 28: Internet and new media u2013 a public forum for children. Culture and Child Rights a seminar on the importance of culture in a child's life.
Aug 29: Yaksagana Veera Vrushasena (an episode from Mahabharata), Shakespeare Theatre Lab and storytelling.
Aug 30: Pirate's Code, a play. Thetare of food "battle between the lemons and the milk," a workshop for 3- to 6-years-olds and storytelling.u00a0

At: Ranga Shankara, JP Nagar
On from: August 26 till September 6
Tickets: Available at Ranga Shankara and Daily Bread outlets