A Dual Literary Programme at
Tsirangtoe Lower Secondary School
The Literary Club at
Tsirangtoe Lower Secondary School organized a dual literary programme: Inter-House
Pantomime Competition and Dzongkha Storytelling Competition on August 26, 2017.
As the beats and
melodies floated in the air, the mime artists of four houses appeared on the
stage in various forms and paints, amusing the audience from all walks of life.
Their themes surrounded around the importance of a healthy natural environment,
the other side of cell phone, love for parents, and value of education in life.
The literary club member’s exhibition mime on ‘save the water’ added much weight
to the show.
Pantomime is a theatrical
entertainment, mainly for children, which involves music, topical jokes and
slapstick comedy and based on certain theme. It is a drama or play without
words.
In Bhutan, the theatre
tradition began roughly from 1960s based on traditional stories such as Gasa
Lami Singye. The school variety shows were mostly dominated by dramas and mimes
until 1990s. However, years following 1999, the theatrical art began to lose
its repute to the new media arts accessible via television and internet.
Early this year, the
Ministry of Education realized the value of long-forgotten art, and determined to
reintroduce drama in schools.
The other part of the
programme, storytelling competition was no less exciting. Indeed, it was
thrilling performance for each audience. The storytellers narrated folktales adorned
with timeless morals. The use of wide range of props and background dramatization
made the stage rich enough to take the audience miles away, connecting and contemplating
much on their own life.
The
dual literary programme was organized as a part of Sherig Pledge (made during
18th National Education Conference) to promote Performing Arts in
schools. The benefits of such dual programme for the students are beyond
measure.
