The theatre workshop in progress in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 2: Uttar Purush, a city-based theatre group, organised its seventh annual theatre workshop called Rangabharati at Utkal Karate School from August 17 to August 31.

Eighteen youth from various districts of the state attended the workshop. As it was an acting orientated programme, a lot of focus was given on expressions and voice modulation.

Choudhary Jaiprakash Das was the workshop director and Sumanta Mohanty taught theatre literature to the students.

The participants got a chance to showcase what they learnt on the valedictory day when they performed in front of eminent music director Santanu Mohapatra.

“There is scope to learn theatre in big cities, but very few people from the interior get that chance. I always had a fascination towards acting and in this workshop, I learnt a lot about expressions,” said Satyabrata Rout, a science college student from Jajpur.

“It is very satisfying to see engineering, management and medical students taking interest in theatre. It would be wrong to say that these workshops are meant only for those willing to choose acting as a career. When a person develops the confidence to perform in front of a houseful of art lovers, it simultaneously does a world of good to his personality,” said Abhinna Routray, a theatre director associated with the troupe.

While amateurs are honing their skills at the workshop, professionals are busy showcasing their craft at the ongoing Natyadhara series that takes place for first three consecutive days of every month at Bhanja Kala Mandap.

Sakharam Binder and Laahange were staged by Interface, Bhubaneswar, and Moonlight Sechhwasebi Anushthan, Bargarh, on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Maa Ra Dukha is scheduled to be performed by Kalabikash Kendra, Jajpur, on Wednesday evening.