Rangayana’s ‘Chinnara Mela’ begins with enthusiasm

The much-anticipated Chinnara Mela, Rangayana’s flagship summer camp for children, kicked off with great enthusiasm on Monday. The 26th edition of the camp witnessed participation from over 300 children and will continue till May 10 at the State’s premier theatre repertory.

Inaugurating the camp, acclaimed wildlife photographer Krupakar delivered a compelling address on the current education system in India. Drawing comparisons with systems in countries like Japan and Germany, he emphasised the importance of nurturing life skills over rote academics, especially for children under the age of ten.

“Children in Japan are not introduced to formal academics until the age of ten, yet the country remains one of the most advanced in the world. In contrast, our system burdens children even in LKG with tasks beyond their cognitive capacity,” he said.

He also underscored the significance of experiential learning, citing examples from tribal haadis near Bandipur, where children acquire exceptional life skills. “An eight-year-old tribal boy who can handle a giant tusker demonstrates a kind of knowledge and confidence that cannot be taught in classrooms. That’s far more valuable than simply knowing how to operate a smartphone,” Mr. Krupakar noted.

Rangayana Director Satish Tiptur, in his welcome address, introduced the theme for this year’s camp — “Balya Amoolya” (Precious Childhood) — and highlighted the importance of preserving the innocence and potential of childhood. He also noted the special significance of launching the camp on the 134th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a champion of equality and justice.

The inaugural ceremony held at Vanaranga in the evening was attended by a large gathering of parents, theatre enthusiasts, and dignitaries, including V.N. Mallikarjuna Swamy, Joint Director of Kannada and Culture, M.D. Sudarshan, Deputy Director of Rangayana, Anil Revoor, director of Chinnara Mela, Suresh Babu from Ranga Samaja, and environmentalist K. Manu.

Earlier in the day, the Rangayana team interacted with parents of participating children, explaining the objectives and structure of the camp. They assured full support in creating an engaging, safe, and enriching environment for the children, aiming to instill values and skills that extend beyond conventional education.

Adding a vibrant cultural dimension, tribal children from Sonahalli Haadi and Hirehalli Haadi in H.D. Kote taluk were invited as special guests, reflecting the camp’s inclusive spirit and celebration of diverse childhood experiences. Notably, Rangayana is holding workshops for the tribal children at their haadis, as part of the Chinnara Mela.