At a time when International Women’s Day is being celebrated as a kind of compulsory event with many organisations doing this by rote in giving awards to a few celebrities year after year, here is actress turned educationist Aparna Bharani Pillai who wants to do things differently. She heads The Sun Smart Foundation International School and she has organised the play The Pied Piper of Hamelin where tiny tots from her school will be performing on stage at Museum Theatre in the city to bring awareness to Project Putri, an NGO that supports educating and empowering girl children in Corporation Schools. Catch them young is the motto and they believe this is the way to make children ready to face life early.
Aparna Bharani Pillai
Speaking to DC, Aparna says, “We at our school look beyond the academic curriculum and want children to develop their creative skills. That way, starting with this year the initiative ‘Art for a cause’, we are coming out with the famous folklore play The Pied Piper of Hamelin. And 22 kids from 3 to 13 years from our school will be participating and they are being trained by the world famous international theatre group Helen’O Grady Drama School from UK for the past six months.”
But why Pied Piper, we ask. “It is not directly imparting any message. But the purpose of choosing it was it is a popular folk tale and our main aim is to give the kids a holistic approach through theatre. Like improving their oratorical skills, body language, confidence, devoid of stage fear and facing the public, storytelling abilities and thus empowering them by all means,” responds Aparna. The school will also contribute a small amount to Project Putri, adds Aparna.
Being a danseuse as well, Aparna is exploring the idea of putting her ‘Art for a cause’ idea in digital space. “I am working on different art forms through my trust AUM - Art of the United Mind Academy where young talents who can exhibit their skills.” It is going to be an annual affair and we would come out different value added programme every year, asserts the multitalented personality.
