DRAMA is the artistic force that turns stone-age society into a cultured, civil, prudent and egalitarian society,” said Dr Vedprakash Mishra, Chief Advisor, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, after inauguration of the Bal Darbar Mega Children’s Drama Festival organised by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVM), Nagpur Kendra at Bhavan’s Bhagwandas, Civil Lines Auditorium, on Monday.

 

He called art and science inseparable foundations of human evolution, as Dr Mishra noted that science without art becomes arid while art without science remains a body without its soul. Drawing from Bharatmuni’s classical vision, he explained drama’s progression from imitation to resemblance and finally to a state where performer and character fuse. Nine qualities performer imbibes through drama:He said, this journey cultivates nine qualities in each performer - confidence, communicative skill, critical thinking, creativity, camaraderie, cultural awareness, discipline, emotional intelligence and team-building, and he described these qualities as the luminous scaffolding that shapes future generations.

 

BVM felicitated jury members Abhay Yashwant Balde, Bhagyashree Chitnis and Varsha Lakhe. The ceremony witnessed the presence of Rajendra Purohit, Chairperson, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Nagpur Kendra; Dr Rajendra Chandak, Chairperson, Bal Darbar; Kendra Committee Members Sunanda Sonarikar, K M Agrawal, Prof Q H Jeevaji and Padmini Jog; Co-ordinator Bal Darbar Sameer Pandit; Kendra officials; and Principals of all Bhavan’s schools in Nagpur. Chandak reflects on 15 years of shaping young performers: Dr Rajendra Chandak, Organiser of Bal Darbar, said theatre creates a shifting landscape where form evolves and expression discov ers deeper routes. He said the festival seeks to nurture imagination, empathy, self-expression, emotional maturity, confidence, cultural connection and teamwork. He expressed pride in Bal Darbar completing 15 years of encouraging young learners to enter the performing arts with curiosity and conviction. The inauguration ceremony was conducted by Nandita Deshpande, Geeta Dolas and Saroj Sharma. Ratna Guha proposed a vote of thanks.

 

 

THE Drama ‘Saksham Bharat - Viksit Bharat’ was staged by St Ursula Girl’s High School. ‘My Dream, Not Yours’ was staged by B S Thulkar Public School. The Drama ‘Aarsa’ was staged by Shree Convent High School & Jr College. ‘Bebas Paryavaran - Ek Digital Yug Ka Satya’ was presented by Reliance Foundation School, Mouda. The Drama ‘Ab Samajh Aaya……’ was staged by The Blind Relief Association Nagpur’s Mundle English Medium School.