AHA!
Theatre for children
AHA!
Theatre for Children
AHA! is Ranga Shankara’s most ambitious programme to date, bringing the magic of theatre in all its aspects to children. We firmly believe that children are the future audience, and inculcating a love for the arts, an eye, and an ear for the theatre would surely make them into empathetic and responsible citizens of the world. Since its launch in 2006, AHA! has grown organically and continues to do so, adding programmes, dimensions, audiences, international collaborations and more, as one of the country’s most important and sustained theatre for children (TFC) programmes.
Theatre is an important educator outside the classroom and the standardized test models that students bear the brunt of. AHA! is on top of our agenda. If children are exposed to theatre from an early age, they grow up to become curious, aware and engaged citizens. They are more likely to become ‘trained audiences’ – an important bank that raises the bar for the theatre community.
Past AHA! Productions
All the previous years’ AHA! plays
Our most ambitious programme to date, ‘AHA!’, brings the magic of theatre in all its aspects to children. Launched in 2006, AHA! has grown organically adding programmes, dimensions, audiences, international collaborations and international festival, as one of India’s most important and sustained Theatre for Children programmes.
What's on now?
What's on now?
AHA! Sundays
AHA! Sundays, launched by Ranga Shankara in 2023, is a vibrant initiative that brings theatre for children to the forefront, enriching young minds through engaging performances. By showcasing diverse stories and themes, this program not only captivates children’s imaginations but also fosters empathy and creativity. The exposure to live theatre cultivates a deeper appreciation for the arts, encouraging kids to express themselves and connect with others. As families gather to experience these performances, AHA! Sundays strengthens community bonds and nurtures a culture that values storytelling and creativity, ensuring a brighter, more imaginative future for all.
AHA! Sundays
AHA! Sundays, launched by Ranga Shankara in 2023, is a vibrant initiative that brings theatre for children to the forefront, enriching young minds through engaging performances. By showcasing diverse stories and themes, this program not only captivates children’s imaginations but also fosters empathy and creativity. The exposure to live theatre cultivates a deeper appreciation for the arts, encouraging kids to express themselves and connect with others. As families gather to experience these performances, AHA! Sundays strengthens community bonds and nurtures a culture that values storytelling and creativity, ensuring a brighter, more imaginative future for all.
Little Cloud Series
Our Little Cloud program of storytelling sessions offers a captivating experience meant exclusively for children aged 4-6 years while their parents enjoy an hour of quiet. Held during the months of January and February, these sessions encourage imagination and creative day dreaming, offering a unique experience for the little ones.
In a group amongst 20 other children, the storytelling experience becomes dynamic. Children not only enjoy tales but also share the joy with each other and later on with their parents. This setting creates a sense of togetherness that boosts the overall experience. It’s a unique chance for kids to learn, to listen, and build their vocabulary and social skills while having fun with stories. These 45-minute sessions are held over the weekends in English, Kannada, and Hindi, providing a rich and diverse storytelling experience.
Little Cloud Series
Our Little Cloud program of storytelling sessions offers a captivating experience meant exclusively for children aged 4-6 years while their parents enjoy an hour of quiet. Held during the months of January and February, these sessions encourage imagination and creative day dreaming, offering a unique experience for the little ones.
In a group amongst 20 other children, the storytelling experience becomes dynamic. Children not only enjoy tales but also share the joy with each other and later on with their parents. This setting creates a sense of togetherness that boosts the overall experience. It’s a unique chance for kids to learn, to listen, and build their vocabulary and social skills while having fun with stories. These 45-minute sessions are held over the weekends in English, Kannada, and Hindi, providing a rich and diverse storytelling experience.
Summer Express The Workshop
Summer Express, an eagerly anticipated programme in Bangalore during April and May, introduces children to various aspects of the stage through diverse workshops on Theatre, Movement, Acting, Music, Writing, Visual Arts, and more. These workshops use theatre as a medium to instill self-confidence, help children shed inhibitions, leverage their strengths, and simply have fun. The program offers a transformative experience where creativity and learning unite seamlessly.
Parents prefer to keep their children actively engaged during the summer vacations and these workshops help ensure they are invested in meaningful activities and avoid excessive screen time. They allow children to develop valuable skills and express their creativity in a vibrant, hands-on learning environment.
Summer Express The Workshop
Summer Express, an eagerly anticipated programme in Bangalore during April and May, introduces children to various aspects of the stage through diverse workshops on Theatre, Movement, Acting, Music, Writing, Visual Arts, and more. These workshops use theatre as a medium to instill self-confidence, help children shed inhibitions, leverage their strengths, and simply have fun. The program offers a transformative experience where creativity and learning unite seamlessly.
Parents prefer to keep their children actively engaged during the summer vacations and these workshops help ensure they are invested in meaningful activities and avoid excessive screen time. They allow children to develop valuable skills and express their creativity in a vibrant, hands-on learning environment.
AHA! Theatre for Children Festival
While theatre entertains, it also holds the power to ignite the imagination and shape the future. Since its inception in 2009, the AHA! Theatre for Children Festival at Ranga Shankara has showcased acclaimed national and international productions, reaching up to 150,000 children in Bengaluru. The festival spans age groups from 20-month-old infants to 16-year-olds, fostering a theatre movement and network for the future of theatre in Bengaluru and beyond.
A great opportunity arises for those engaged in Theatre for Children at the AHA! Theatre for Children Festival. It’s a chance to meet, exchange ideas, and contribute to the development of Theatre for Children. The international festival extends the excitement, showcasing diverse works for children from other countries, enriching the local scene and fostering a global understanding of the art form, paving the way for healthy collaborations between theatre groups and countries.
The AHA! Festival is conducted annually, with each year alternating between a national event and an international event.
AHA! Theatre for Children Festival
While theatre entertains, it also holds the power to ignite the imagination and shape the future. Since its inception in 2009, the AHA! Theatre for Children Festival at Ranga Shankara has showcased acclaimed national and international productions, reaching up to 150,000 children in Bengaluru. The festival spans age groups from 20-month-old infants to 16-year-olds, fostering a theatre movement and network for the future of theatre in Bengaluru and beyond.
A great opportunity arises for those engaged in Theatre for Children at the AHA! Theatre for Children Festival. It’s a chance to meet, exchange ideas, and contribute to the development of Theatre for Children. The international festival extends the excitement, showcasing diverse works for children from other countries, enriching the local scene and fostering a global understanding of the art form, paving the way for healthy collaborations between theatre groups and countries.
The AHA! Festival is conducted annually, with each year alternating between a national event and an international event.
Maruti Puppet Theatre
At Ranga Shankara, we believe in recycling and reusing as much as we can, converting a simple prop to a fully equipped puppet theatre — the ‘Maruti Puppet Theatre’. Perhaps the smallest theatre in the country, this theatre has been built into the boot of the Maruti 800, India’s beloved family car. The theatre accommodates one performer only but can have an audience of up to 25 children.
