Kamana Billu, Summer Camp – a hit among students in Manipal organized by Sangama Kalavider

By Snehalatha, Udupi
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 18 May 2013 :  The summer camps are being organized in the guise of making money at the cost of students, who charge anything from a few thousands of rupees to ten thousands.  In the guise of training the students on cultural upbringing, these organizers hurl 10 – 15 students in a classroom and train them on a few arts.  Once the camp is over everything is forgotten.  Over 5,000 such camps are being organized in the state every year.

Take for instance, there is a camp going on in the premises of Manipal Pre-University College, here which is being organized by Sangama Kalavider organization titled Kamana Billu camp from May 8 to May 22.  One-hundred-thirty-five students are participating in the camp paying just Rs 150, while the cost of camp is estimated to be Rs 8 to Rs 10 lac that is borne by the donors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This camp is a unique one.  For example, Ramayana play being enacted here.  Five groups were formed out of 135 students while each group enacts 5 episodes of Ramayana which is being directed by 5 directors.  At last, the entire Ramayana is staged together in single stage.  The roles such as Rama, Laxmana are enacted by 5 veteran artistes.  Twelve resource persons train the students on Yakshagana, Bharatanatyam, music, one-act-play, costume, make-up, drawing etc that is being incorporated in the play.

Disinterested in viewing TV!

The students who were accustomed to extreme discipline are actively participating in the camp and they enjoy every moment of it.  The students changed their perspective in life, to avoid watching TV instead take interest in arts and play.

The highlight of the camp is an opportunity to take part in discussion along with their parents and education experts.  It has given the confidence to students to boldly express their interests

The camp indeed shapes personality, develops their inherent talent and enhances cultural upbringing.  It’s the achievement of Sangam Kalavider of Manipal.
 
The students look like mentally unsound, because they lack co-ordination of their mind and body.  At this backdrop, the camp is the effort to improve the co-ordination by successfully incorporating theater like in Russia and Japan.

The objectives of camp are being fulfilled in 3 stages, to improve the behavior with dance, drawing, drama, music, to improve the acting skills by watching other groups performing drama that has been contributing to the success of camp without the knowledge of participants said Dr Sripada Bhat Sirsi, chief camp director.