For the sake of Art

Such is the beauty of appreciation courses, that it helps one understand the medium not only to learn the process of construction but to also appreciate it. There are films, art and theatre appreciation courses offered every year by some of the prestigious institutes in our country.

Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in collaboration with National Film Archive of India (NFAI) holds Film Appreciation Course (FAC), to promote comprehensive understanding and insights into the nature of cinema and other related forms and practices. 

“Through these courses one gets answers to questions, which later helps one to make, critique or disseminate information about films to someone,” shares Dr Ankit Sharma, Filmmaker and Assistant professor, Department of Mass Communication, Vivekananda Institute of Professional studies.

Film-makers, cine-buffs, students along with academicians do this course to understand and to appreciate cinema. “There is nothing such as good or bad cinema. Cinema is cinema. Before criticizing one must understand what goes into the making of a film,” highlights Dr Sharma, who attended the course twice in 2009 and 2014.

 At FAC one gets to live with films for a month. One gets to witness such archives and real footages which are not easily available. Watching a film on reel with that sound and feel is a rare treasure in the digital era. National Museum Institute (NMI) organises Art Appreciation Course and Bhartiya Kalanidhi (Hindi medium – covers Indian art) consisting of 20 illustrated lectures encouraging students to know and appreciate Indian and global art.

 “We as citizens are unaware of our own cultural heritage. This course not only enlightened me but also made me proud of our country’s art and culture. To know those roots, this course is a must,” explains Dr Sulekha Bhargava, freelancer contributing to art and craft, a participant of Art Appreciation in 2001 and 2002. This course not just puts light on the importance of symbols, different sculptors, personalised paintings but also on the archaeological aspect of it.

 “From lectures to artefacts and visiting museums, it not only develops a visual understanding but also creates an everlasting impact. No other course witnesses people from different walks of life coming together to cherish what we have,” comments Dr Bhargava. 

National School of Drama (NSD) conducts Theatre Appreciation Course(TAC) that aims to enable the understanding and appreciation of theatre as an art form in India and the world. “My experience at the Theatre Appreciation Course was incredible. 

The 9 day course in NSD was well designed and covered a huge array of specialized discipline in theatre itself- compositional techniques in music, importance of Natyashastra, Theatre Scenography, costumes, Women and Puppetry Theatre, Proscenium Theatre etc.,” shared Anjana Ghosal, performing artist/ vocalist who was a participant of TAC-NSD 2016. Apart from these, there are private organisations too which offer similar courses but the major drawback are the lack of archives and high fees. 

Aspirants aged 18 and above from all over India, gets introduced to history, theory and relationship of Indian and world cinema or theatre to other forms of arts. “The reason for me to apply for this course was basically to be able to develop a creative lens, so as to understand the meaning of the symbols used in the canvas of theatre. It helped me to critique and analyse a theatre production intelligently,” Ghosal added.

During a week long course at NSD one gets to interact with renowned theatre practitioners and have discussions. They also get the opportunity to watch the treasured archives along with watching and analysing live plays. “TAC at NSD helped me to understand the difference between theatre acting and acting for cinema.

 Earlier, while watching a play, I never noticed much of its elements. But now, every play I watch compels me to critically analyze and appreciate the creative work,” says Bishwajeet Mookherjee, a budding filmmaker who believes that the course is for someone who wishes to understand the art of theatre and not for someone who wishes to learn acting. 

For a better understanding of a subject, one must be acquainted with the history of the subject, its evolution and the basics or nuances of various forms. Notifications for admission to these courses are advertised every year on their official websites, newspapers and social media. One can keep a track between the months of April and June.