![Bangalore Little Theatre succeeded in bridging the city-cantonment divide, says Vijay Padaki
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Bangalore Little Theatre succeeded in bridging the city-cantonment divide, says Vijay Padaki Premium
The Hindu
Not too long ago, Vijay Padaki found himself in a group, discussing the qualifications, skills, expertise, and training needed for children’s theatre. “The group turned to me for an opinion,” says the theatre doyen, who believes that though these criteria were important, they were insufficient. “I have always felt there was a far more fundamental requirement. To do children’s theatre, you must love children,” he says.
Not too long ago, Vijay Padaki found himself in a group, discussing the qualifications, skills, expertise, and training needed for children’s theatre. “The group turned to me for an opinion,” says the theatre doyen, who believes that though these criteria were important, they were insufficient. “I have always felt there was a far more fundamental requirement. To do children’s theatre, you must love children,” he says.
This deep love for children has been an integral aspect of his 63-year association with the Bangalore Little Theatre (BLT), which he has been part of, in various capacities, since its inception in 1960. Notably, in 2005, when BLT created the Academy of Theatre Arts, an entire programme titled Schools & Children was introduced as a key focus area.
These efforts have finally obtained the recognition they richly deserve. On May 28, Vijay received the International Lifetime Achievement Award from ASSITEJ (Association Internationale du Théâtre de l’Enfance et la Jeunesse) International, a network of artists and organisations in over 75 countries dedicated to the belief that every child and young person deserves access to the arts, in Cuba.
“It was very satisfying,” he admits, pointing out that while everyone remembered BLT for public performances, their children’s theatre work was not always so visible. “It was good that it got the recognition it deserved – outside the country before within! That was more important for me than the award itself,” says Vijay, Trustee Emeritus, BLT.
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