Report: Sandeep D'Souza
Pics: Deepak Paladka
Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Mar 25: The 'Pratibimb' two-day drama workshop was organized by Daiji Rang Mandir, the cultural wing of Daiji Dubai recently in Dubai. The workshop received excellent response with participation of 40 amateur Konkani artistes across Dubai.
The two-day work shop was conducted by M H Rizvi of Kolkata, director of Pratibimb Theatre Academy troupe in Dubai, as well as by Dilip Paranjape, script writer, actor and also one of the noted members of Pratibimb Theatre troupe.
The workshop began with a formal welcome by Dony Correa, followed by a prayer song by Asha Correa. Joseph Mathias of Merit Freight Systems was the chief guest. He was accompanied by Walter Nandalike, Dayan D’Souza, Mukamar and Rony Byndoor.
The inaugural ceremony was held in a unique manner, with guests on the dais pouring different colours into a glass jar. Arun D’Almeida introduced both the speakers.
The workshop was themed 'Self-actualizing, creativity-evoking' and it aimed to provide a platform for all drama enthusiasts to share their ideas, cultivate an interest in drama, to promote scriptwriting and hone acting skills as well.
The workshop began with a self-introduction by all the participants. The first session addressed by key speaker M H Rizvi was on understanding theatre. He said: "Drama can be important and helpful to everyone in learning how to improve in terms of teamwork. Everyone needs to contribute as they all have to put in efforts as a team."
"In addition, understanding the script, practice at rehearsals, as well as following the instructions of the director and enacting the dramatic character, dialogue delivery and maintaining self-confidence are the keys for any artiste. Besides that, people can communicate much better and become better public speakers through drama," he said.
"Drama also helps in a sense that, while performing, actors can face a lot of challenges which forces them to react quickly and think sharply," he further added.
One of the highlights of the workshop was Navrasas, which means the nine sentiments: “Love, Mirth, Pity or Tenderness, Anger or Wrath, Heroism, Terror or Fear, Astonishment or Surprise, Tranquillity, Peace or Disgust". It is a form of improvisation of face expressions and involves real dramatic effects. Dilip Paranjape explained the same to the participants.
During the second day of the workshop both speakers advised the participants to perform socially-based incidents in a group comprising five male actors and accompanied by one lady actor. All the groups participated with enthusiasm and spirit. After all the group performances both speakers gave some important tips. They informed the performers that before the start of the drama one should make sure of entry and exits and during the play there should be coordination between co-artistes, ensure that dialogues given to all the artistes are in a balanced manner, and maintain precise timings from start to end for each scene of the play. Stage props are always kept on at the back end so that actors can get sufficient space to stand and perform, they said.
They stressed that these kinds of major errors and improper performances happen with amateur artistes, due to which the audience lose interest in watching plays. An artiste should always be the best while working together as a team and must always maintain good and healthy relationships with his or her co artistes, they said.
There were question and answer sessions on both days and all queries by the participants were answered by both the speakers.
The closing ceremony was held at same venue at the end of the second day. James Mendonca of Reliable Group of Companies was the chief guest. Joseph Mathias was the guest of honour. Both the guests were accompanied by M H Rizvi, Dilip Paranjape, Dayan D’souza and Walter Nandalike.
M H Rizvi and Dilip Paranjape were honoured with Daiji Rang Mandir mementoes. They thanked Daiji Rang Mandir troupe for giving them this opportunity and assured that they would always be ready to teach or conduct these kind of workshops in the future. The sponsors, supporters and media partners of the workshop were felicitated by Daiji Rang Mandir office bearers. Certificates of appreciation were presented to all the participants by Walter Nandalike and Dayan D'Souza. Dainy D’souza delivered the vote of thanks.