Muktadhara in Sundarbans

The India phase of the Transport-Ranan collaborative project in December 2011 involved an extended research trip to the Sundarbans. Our first stop was Bali II island where we visited two schools with local headmaster Shri Sukumar Paira, who has been instrumental in the educational, social and environmental development of the island. We were put in touch with him by Ebong Alap, who have been working in Bali for several years. 


Ebong Alap, an NGO based in Kolkata explores innovative pedagogies in the vernacular and as part of its work with young people in Bali II of Sundarban, Ebong Alap and Ranan are collaborating to create a workshop-based performance. The intention is to understand people’s relationship with nature and the rivers surrounding them. This collaborative project is under the aegis of the Tagore Commemoration Grant Scheme under the Ministry of Culture.


The impulse text is Tagore's play Muktadhara, though the final production will not be a full performance of the play per se. Debashree Bhattacharya, Amlan Chaudhuri and Vikram Iyengar will direct the production, to be performed by students of Bijoynagar Adarsha Vidya Mandir, Bali Islands, Sundaraban. Indudipa Sinha & Debosmita Roychowdhury, will assist.


The production will be staged at the school premises, on 23 April, 2012 at 3pm.


Watch this space for updates !

Shakespeare and Young People: Adda with Tracy Irish

On Friday, 23 March 2012, 7pm.

At : Ranan, 8 Sultan Alam Road, Kolkata 700 033

Ranan is pleased to welcome Tracy Irish - from the Education Department of the Royal Shakespeare Company, London - to our space.

Tracy Irish is one of the lead practitioners in the education department at the Royal Shakespeare Company. For the World Shakespeare Festival, she is exploring how and why Shakespeare is taught around the world, focussing on seven countries / cities including Calcutta. Through this adda she is interested in finding out what Shakespeare means for young people in our city, how they relate to him and the current and potential role of schools and arts organisations in that. She will also share her experiences about how Shakespeare is approached, taught and received in the other countries she has visited as part of this RSC project.

For further information on the adda: call 9831256730 or email rananindia@gmail.com

Taking Kathak to Shillong Schools: an experience of a lifetime

The team with students at St. Mary's School, Shillong

The week of 27 February to 2 March 2012 will forever remain etched in my mind. Not only mine, but the minds of three others as well – Debashree Bhattacharya, Subhashis Bhattacharya and Siddhartha Bhattacharyya. The four of us were in Shillong, Meghalaya during that period presenting Kathak lecture demonstrations at ten higher secondary schools in a series co-organised by the India International Rural Cultural Centre, Delhi and the District School Education Office, Shillong. Debashree and I were the dancer-presenters with Subhasis on Vocal and Harmonium and Siddhartha on the Tabla.

Connecting to Shakespeare - A Workshop by Tracy Irish

 Saturday, 24 March 2012

Ranan (8 Sultan Alam Road, Calcutta 700 033)

10am to 1pm

Participation Fees: Rs. 350/-

See it live, Start it earlier, and Do it on your feet

These are the calls to action in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Stand up for Shakespeare manifesto summing up what the RSC believes is at the heart of the best teaching and learning of Shakespeare.

Using strategies inspired by the RSC rehearsal room and drama practice, this workshop helps develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to get pupils on their feet, working together through active approaches to connect with Shakespeare. The session will explore activities that encourage students to make personal, interpretive choices by seeing a play from different characters’ points of view and exploring the meaning of the language.

The workshop will focus on Hamlet, but can be transferred to any text.

Suitable for English teachers and actors / directors who work with young people. A working knowledge of Hamlet is advised.


Apply here or send an email with full CV and contact details to rananindia@gmail.com by
22 March 2012

Call 98312 56730 for further details.

Tracy Irish

Tracy Irish is one of the lead practitioners in the education department at the Royal Shakespeare Company. For the World Shakespeare Festival, she is exploring how and why Shakespeare is taught around the world, focussing on seven countries / cities: Brazil, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Kolkata, Los Angeles, Oman, South Africa. Each case study is a dialogue and includes visiting the countries to see schools, interview teachers and students, observe and lead workshops / lessons with teachers and students to share RSC practice. Prior to the RSC, Tracy was a teacher of English and Drama for sixteen years, with experience of running departments in the UK and abroad.  Her work with Shakespeare in the classroom led to a series of books, The Shorter Shakespeare, and to directing a number of productions with young people.