For Bangalore-based thespian Jagdish Raja, popularising drama, extempore debate and elocution in schools is a natural extension of his vocation. A veteran stage director and actor, Raja founded Bangalores first professional English theatre company, Artistes Repertory Theatre (ART), in 1982, which has since staged over 70 productions in India and abroad. ART is also the Bangalore representative of the London-based Trinity Guildhall (TG) examinations board.ART offers students in the garden city the opportunity to have their English language, music and performing arts skills assessed and certified by Trinity Guildhall, a leading international examinations board. Trinity Guildhall is a globally recognised dance, drama and music curriculum design and assessment board which sets high standards for students to develop their artistic talents and communication skills, says Raja, who is also the India representative of Samuel French Ltd (London-based playscript publishers). Trinity Guildhall combines the resources of Londons Trinity College of Drama and Speech and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama to offer assessment across all aspects of speech and drama, acting, musical theatre, communication skills and performance arts to students of any age and qualification. Approved in the UK by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), highly qualified examiners from Trinity Guildhall assess candidates in a free choice of repertoire, encouraging them to explore the literature and art of their own cultural roots. Although most CISCE and CBSE schools offer drama, music and elocution as extra-curricular activities to students, they are not subject to assessment and certification. Now with TG offering its exams in India and Bangalore, school students can get these extra-curricular skills evaluated by professionals. Comments from trained TG examiners and international certification which is recognised and respected worldwide will go a long way in helping students measure their attainments and achieve personal, vocational and professional goals beyond academics. Through ART hundreds of students have cleared TG exams, most with distinction, says Raja, who has also promoted Jagriti, a 170-seat auditorium in suburban Bangalore. In October last year, 125 students took the various TG exams with another 40 writing them in February this year. Trinity Guildhall also offers courses on acting, diction, communication, musical theatre, and other performing arts. The courses are divided into foundation, intermediate and advanced levels with fees ranging between Rs.1,900-7,400 per level. I am personally involved in getting the Trinity Drama and Speech syllabus recognised by the CISCE board, says Raja, an ardent proponent of English theatre, which he believes is an ideal medium for students to master the English language, improve diction, and inter-personal and communication skills. Mekhala Roy (Bangalore)
