National School of Drama promotes theatre in Sikkim

Gangtok: The Sikkim Centre of the National School of Drama is promoting theatre in the region. Recently, budding actors performed a non-verbal play on Sikkimese culture and traditions.

The title of the play was ‘Kalo Sunakhiri’ and it was an adaptation of the novel “Sonam” written by Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi. Based on the love story of two Sikkimese youth, it was directed by Abhilash Pillai and scripted by Hasta Chettri. The artists, who expressed themselves only through action, did a wonderful job. Sikkim has good scope for theatre “This is the first functioning state centre of NSD in the country that teaches as well as organizes performances. The audience here received the play very well and gave strong positive feedback for the performances. This confirms that there is huge scope for theatre here,” said Abhilash Pillai, the play’s director. The theatre group, trained by the National School of Drama, New Delhi, is working hard to promote the art among the youth in Sikkim. “The actors who are working here come from all the four districts of the state. We aim to promote the art and culture of the state, and spread awareness in Sikkim,” said Bipin Kumar, Director, National School of Drama, Sikkim Centre. “The play ‘Kalo Sunakhiri’ that I just saw is a fusion of of modern and classical techniques. It shows the level which contemporary theatre has reached. The play was a wonderful experience for me, “ said Shayam Pradhan. The National School of Drama has been working with different state governments of the Northeast to promote theatre among the youth. It recently started a centre in Tripura and has been regularly organizing workshops and training sessions in different states to attract the youth. ANI