Glimpses from the Children’s Ensemble at Nandikar’s 40th National Theatre festival

Nandikar Children's Ensemble was held as part of the 40th edition of the Nandikar Natya Mela (National Theatre Festival)

A child artiste, one of the chhotto banorsena in Lakshmaner Shaktishel, waits patiently with his make-up done. (Right) Bibhishon looks quite happy after dressing. The play written by Sukumar Ray is a humorous take on Ramayana

Jagori Majumdar, who played the role of Jambuban in the play Lakshmaner Shaktishel, has been associated with Nandikar for around a year. ‘I love to act in plays. I am very excited about playing the role of Jambuban in the play,’ a girl from Dum Dum said

The proud Ravanraja in the play. There was a lot of excitement in the green room with some 200 children dressing up for their performances

Lakshmaner Shaktishel being performed on stage

The next performance was Alice in Wonderland. The play based on the story by Lewis Caroll was performed in Bengali

Alice of different ages dressed up for their act; Mad Hatter and Red Queen get ready

The last play performed in the Children's Ensemble was Podipisir Bormibaksho based on Leela Majumdar’s novelette

Shreyan Sen, who plays the role of Panchumama in the play, has been associated with Nandikar for nine years. ‘Every year we wait patiently for this time of the year. After months of extensive rehearsals, the day finally comes for us to perform on stage. I am really excited,’ he said.

The mood in the green room