Sphoorthi Theatre

April 1st is also called All Fools' Day is one of the most cheery days of the year. Its origins are unsure and uncertain. Some relate to the turn of the seasons, while others believe to the adoption of a new calendar. It is also believed and said that once upon a time New year commenced from April than January1 including those of the Romans and Hindus. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar the Gregorian calendar to replace the old Julian calendar. The new calendar called for New Year's Day to be celebrated January 1. That year, France adopted the reformed calendar and shifted New Year's Day to January 1. Again, many people either refused to accept the new date, or did not learn about it, and continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1. Other people began to make fun of these old school pursuits sending them on "fool's chores" or trying to trick them into believing something false. Eventually, the practice spread throughout Europ

Today, application of this medium has been received well across the globe in addressing various socio-political issues and bringing awareness. In India, Meher Contractor basically from Ahmednagar, Gujurat, India is acclaimed as the mother of modern educational puppetry . She brought the technique of making simple puppets using best available materials and materials considered as waste. Again, the application of puppetry in schools and handling school syllabus through puppets. Then it is Mrs. Welthy Fisher , an elderly American philanthropist who built the Literacy House in Lucknow in 1956 at the age of 76 or so and started a hand puppet troupe that would travel to villages to perform shows for illiterate adults into order to encourage them to learn to read. She took up issues related health and presented puppet shows on “Small Pox Vaccination”, “Women Education” and “Family Planning”. The renowned puppeteer of Karnataka, Sri Dattatreya Aralikatte who performs in

Remembring the legend Shaheed-e-azam Bhagat Singh March 23, 1931 Bhagat Singh was hanged in Lahore, with fellow revolutionaries Rajguru and Sukhdev Bhagat Singh (1907-1931) is remembered as Shaheed Bhagat Singh or Shaheed-e-Azam. The word shaheed means "martyr". His slogan of ‘Inquilab Zindabad’ made a great impact on the youth during the freedom movement. On this martyr day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, there is a need to make an appeal all the Indian spread across in the world to pledge to fight with the forces which has kept India poor and backward, to give a sincere message to the youths and empower them and handle over the safe India in their hands to take care. The words of Bhagat Singh “Any man who stands for progress has to criticize, disbelieve and challenge every item of the old faith” Indian Freedom fighters mostly followers of Gandhiji who have sacrificed their lives are many, but Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Raj guru were exceptions. As their approach was quite differe

Puppetry—a Traditional Performing art form with new approach Introduction: One of the best used known folk theatre forms acting as a communication network in rural India has been the Puppets. For ages this folk theatre has proven to be effective means of communication system. Puppetry has evolved as the basis for the theatre and drama art forms in many regions of India. From time immemorial, Puppetry- indigenous folk art of India has been accepted and appreciated form of entertainment. Puppetry –the mother of performing art from is an amalgamation of other art forms like sculpting, music, dance, mimes, art of writing, and oral recitation. This clearly shows that Puppetry incorporates the atheistic beauty of all the performing arts. One more unique place that puppetry holds in performing arts is that in this art from the performer ‘Puppeteer’ creates and build his/her own characters and instruments. As, varied elements go in creating this art form so is the application of this art from

How pathetic is the situation and how inhuman we human are. We destroy, create imbalance in the nature and end up observing various “DAYS”. Today it is world SPARROWS day. Sparrows too have a day to live, to breathe, to fly freely and Say shy is the limit. I have a next build in my apartment by sparrows for the last 13 years. It is a cute nest and I wounder the number of sparrow generations living in it. My memory of visiting my paternal grandfather's place during vacation. The house was surround with talk coconut tress, mango tree, guava tree and flowering plants and bushes in the entrance. It was my father who use to ask my grand mother to sprinkle some rice grains called (Noyi arisi). This rice would be the made by crushing rice (Also sold in grocery shops) This rice is seldom used for cooking. He would say that sparrow's beak is small so, the grains also should be such that it can pick and eat.-I understand the logic. We brothers in turn would sprinkle the grain and watch t

Other day I was discussing with my son about Indians status, their living conditions, poverty, misery state and recent farmers suicides and so on. Its really shocking and a pathetic state of our country and country men. During Election time, one can see huge amount pumped out for canvassing and other things. Each contestant. party promises high and also distributing laptops, colour LCD TVsets, iPads, iPhone, and many such electronic gadgets to woo votes. What a rediculous act! We still accept it, digest it and move with it. Wonder thing is almost all Indians have atleast one Cellphone. At least one, some even have more than two with multi facility features. I was not taken aback, when my son said that his classmates have iPhones and iPads but my watchman got new cellphone to his new born grandson who is not even six months old with "Why this kolavari" song as caller song.--According to Census 2011, only 46.9 % out of 246 million Indian household have toilet favilities. More

Oh God! Why did you create me as a ‘GIRL’? With gold chained bounds and curls, My ‘Name’ spreads displeasure, And I am not a treasure, I spread sorrow all around, Like a bell sound. I am treated as a decorative piece, With brutal burns on self-increase, I am adored as a doll, With no feelings of self at all, That, I am made to stoop and fall, That, ‘I am a girl’ so all call. I am daughter, sister, wife and mother, I play meaningful roles that world does not bother, At festivals I am worshipped, Just to bear some more cane whips, Before, blossom into flower, I am married off with restrictive power. I am made to bear the fruit of love, If, it turns out to be a ‘GIRL’ ; It is crushed to death under the merciless ‘HAND GLOVES’ , This cycle of life going on and on, The story of pain is ever born, I am nowhere better than males, Because, I am born ‘Female’ . http:/www.poemhunter.com/sphoorthi theatre

The aspiration to pursue a career in teaching was once regarded as a very personal and passionate endeavour. However, the perception of this vocation has shifted, as it is now more adopted as a trendy pursuit, with a diminished emphasis on genuine passion and commitment to the profession. During my childhood, I derived immense pleasure from engaging in imaginative play, particularly a game called "Teacher-Teacher," where I would assume the role of my beloved Manjula Teacher. She held the position of Head responsible for overseeing the Primary Teacher. She exhibited exceptional administrative skills. Occasionally, I observe the children residing in the local vicinity engaging in a shared recreational activity, wherever they infrequently assume the roles of their educators. Subsequently, subsequent to some convincing, I acquired knowledge that the individuals in question harboured a collective aversion towards their educators, substantiated by an extensive inventory of

I am liberated? or Do I feel liberated? Sometimes 'Yes' and mostly 'Not'. But of course, my middle class family will and does not appreciate just thoughts of mine. Most of the mothers and mother-in -laws appreciate any woman who has fought for women's rights, justice and has been nationally and internationally recognized and appreciated (If such woman happen to be from their native or region, she deserves all the credentials) but shall not appreciate if their own daughters or daughters-in-law does so. Both in my maternal and In-law family the thought process has changed to a some extend. This is again stereotyped one. Right from dressing to choosing of career is decided by the male members of the family. Though short dresses, strapless dresses and sleeveless dresses worn by cine stars like Kareena, Katrina, Meghana and so on are appreciated and not by own daughters or daughters-in-law. Again, it is no more wonder still one discovers that in some families rules s

The statement posits that when seeking verbal expression, it is advisable to consult a male, yet when seeking effective action, it is preferable to consult a woman. Margaret Thatcher, born on October 13, 1925, was a British politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to Women play a pivotal role in shaping and constructing the fabric of society. Harriet Beecher, an American author and abolitionist, was a prominent figure in the 19th century. Stowe is a reference to Harriet Beecher Stowe, an American author and abolition International Women's Day (IWD), which was first referred to as International Working Women's Day, is observed annually on the 8th of March. The inaugural observance of Women's Day occurred in 1911. The inaugural commemoration of Women's Day took place on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. The resolution to commemorate International Working Women's Day was made during the second inte

Come March Schools, teachers and parents are busy with annual examination preparations. This is time when festival of colours also comes as stress buster or heat reliever. Children especially, await for Holi, Holi- festival of colours . Again, if one observer closely, let apart playing with colours, Holi has other aspects for its celebrations. It cuts apart the socio-cultural, religious and biological disparities and calls for universal celebrations. Holi merges the wide gaps between social classes and brings all Hindus together. Today, other religion followers are also observing and enjoying this festival. Together, the rich and poor, women and men, enjoy each other’s presence. Further, Holi also to some extent provides fexibility and relaxation in the social norms, as a result the atmosphere is filled with excitement and joy. Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna (February/March), (Phalgun Purnima), which us

Introduction: Come March, every woman is waiting for celebration of Women's Day! While reading about great women scholars, poetess and rulers of India, I came across two women and their contribution to the Haridasa Movement in Karnataka. They were Harapanahalli Bheemavva 1822-1903 A. D and Helavanakatte Giriyamma 1750A.D. in eighteenth century. They were well known women poetess of Hardidasa movement. In fact proud Women Poetess of Karnataka Bhakthi Movement or so called Haridasa movement. Women of today are still striving hard to be accepted on par with men in spite of education, exposure, opportunities and legal assurance. One can image the life of women who were blessed with good intellect and caliber stood up to the test of time when women in general were accepted on par with men, no education rigidity in the society rules and norms, ill treatment to women, lots of impositions on dos and don'ts. I call them as real empowered women. Here, I a