It’s a child’s play! Amidst the 3 days of fun and frolic, the 12th International Children’s Festival ensures that everyone takes a message back home

It’s a child’s play!

Amidst the 3 days of fun and frolic, the 12th International Children’s Festival ensures that everyone takes a message back home

For three consecutive days, the premises of Shanmukhanada Hall and Mysore Association Auditorium has seen a huge gathering of children from all over the globe. The 12th International Children’s Festival of Performing Arts (ICFPA), which revolves around the theme ‘One World for Children’, aims at establishing a stronger bond among the young cultural ambassadors of the world. The festival kick-started on January 4 with an opening parade by schoolchildren. With over 12,000 children from Mumbai and over 400 students and artistes from 18 countries, the festival focuses on global identity and broadens the horizons of understanding of different cultures through dance, drama and workshops. The Indian children’s performances included an imaginative piece with large puppets and directed by Anurupa Roy, a ballet performance, and a high energy drum performance. Budding talents from Malaysia, Zambia, Turkey and Italy are scheduled to stage their productions on the concluding day on January 7. Utkarsh Marwah, festival director, says, “This is a perfect place for children from different parts of the world to showcase their talents in an unfettered manner. Children from India and other countries meet to present their ideas, dreams and hopes... their language being drama, action, dance and music. Today, children play more with gadgets than with toys. The concept of toys and dolls is gone. Through theatre we intend to introduce a contemporary form of art so they understand creativity and are not just attracted to glitz and glamour.”