GURUKUL: SCHOOL OF THEATRE

NEPAL'S FIRST THEATRE SCHOOL

The gurukul: A traditional concept…
Before Nepal had western-style schools providing formal education, we had other centres of learning. One was the Gurukul, an ashram where a kul guru - a principal guru or sage - would teach in his own way. Classes did not take place in classrooms, nor did they take place through formal teaching. Students lived and worked at the ashram - cooking meals, serving the guru, and collecting alms. The learning went beyond the boundaries of subjects to educate entire human beings.

… for a modern school
The Aarohan Theatre Group has adapted the concept of Gurukul to modern times. We run a full-time two-year theatre course, with classes ranging from acting and world theatre to yoga and martial arts. But we still hold on to the heart of the Gurukul concept. The students live at the school and manage the centre themselves, cleaning, supervising various departments, and participating in theatre productions. The school does not teach theatre skills alone. We also believe that theatre is the strong means of promoting human values. Theatre should always remain close to the aspirations and experience of human life. A good theatre worker is a fundamentally good human being.