1. When most of the colleges don't even offer under graduation in theatre, how come Pondicherry University offers Post Graduation also?

  Performing Arts is a professional course existing for a long time but name only changed with time but it is directly related to Drama and /Cinema fields. Today Cinema is highly competitive and paid among all the professions in the world. Teaching Performing Arts requires studios, instruments, materials, artists, technicians, etc. and not easy to establish by all colleges and universities. Therefore, not many colleges or universities offer undergraduate programme in Performing Arts. Pondicherry being educational hub, the university has made big seat to the artists and performers by establishing the School of Performing Arts. In this connection, Prof. Indira Parthasarathy, former Dean came forward and became instrumental for establishing School of Performing Arts in Pondicherry University. There is a great demand for Performing Arts not only in theatre and cinema but also in the medical field. So Pondicherry University recently signed MOU with JIPMER in producing medical teaching and training materials. The School had highly reputed faculties those who had received award like Padmasri, Sangeeta Nataka Academy award, Bala Sahitya Academy award and many more. 

 2.  Will the master's in theatre course provide global perspective in Performing arts?

  Master’s degree offered in Performing Arts in the Pondicherry University is at par with all other international universities. Now Pondicherry University is going for professional studies with latest equipment. During the last two years, the school has conducted 6 – 10 workshops every year by foreign experts which enhanced the skills of our students substantially. Now Pondicherry University is going to sign MOU with one of the UK universities to collaborate in teaching and productions. A documentary film “BHARAM’ produced by Ms. Priya Krishna Swami, Mumbai based director got the best documentary film award in Goa International Film Festival in 2018. The same film was also nominated for UNESCO Gandhi award in 2019 in which the actors were mostly from the School of Performing Arts. 

 3.  After completing Under Graduation in theatre, why should a student look to pursue masters course in theatre as well?

    In any University or College, we teach basics of a subject at Undergraduate level, applications to basic subjects in postgraduate level so that the students at this level will move towards specializations and also deepen their knowledge and practices. In today’s competitive world specializations are in great demand in all disciplines so postgraduate degree helps these students to move in this direction.  

 4.  Can you list a few of your alumni students who have carved a niche for themselves in the Performing Arts Arena?

 SOME OF OUR ALUMNI IN NOTICEABLE POSITIONS ACADEMICS

Dr. B.Ananthakrishnan (1988-1990) – Former Dean, S.N.School of Theatre Arts, HCU,Hyderabad

Dr.K.R.Raja Ravi Varma (1988-1990) – Faculty, Department of Performing Arts, Pondicherry University

Dr.Saravanan Velu (1988-1990) – Faculty, Department of Performing Arts, Pondicherry University

Dr.C.Gopan ( 1989 -1991) –Faculty in Theatre Arts ,  Sri Sangaracharya Sanskrit University, Kalady, Kerala

Dr.T.Balasaravanan ( 1990 -1992) – Faculty in Department of Electronic Media, Pondicherry University

Dr.Shibu S.Kottaram ( 1990 -1992) – Director, School of Drama, Thrissur, Kerala

Dr.L.Ravi (1994 -1996) – Faculty, Pope  John Paul College, Puducherry

Mr. V.N.Vinod (1996 – 1998) – Faculty, School of Drama, Thrissur, Kerala

Ms. Najumul Shahi . A.  ( 1998 -2000) -  Faculty, School of Drama, Thrissur, Kerala

Mr. C.S.Deepan (1998- 2000) – Faculty in School of Culture and Creative Expressions, Ambedkar University Delhi

Dr.C.Karthikeyan ( 1999 – 2001) – Faculty, Tamil Nadu Open University , Chennai

THEATRE PROFESSIONALS

1. Dr.Muruga Boopathy.S ( 1992 – 1994)
2. Mr.E.Vengadessin ( 1998 – 2000)
3. Dr.G.Gobi ( 2002-2004) 
4. Mr.P.Arunagiri ( 2002 -2004)

CINEMA FIELD 

1. Mr.E.Kumaravel (1988-1990) –Actor (Tamil)
2. Mr.Manujose (1990 -1992) – Actor(Malayalam)
3. Mr.G.S.Ravichandar ( 1994 – 1996) – Actor(Tamil)
4. Mr.A.Anis (1995 – 1997) – Director(Tamil)
5. Mr. Surjith P.G. ( 2000 – 2002) – Actor(Malayalam)
6. Ms.Chinnu Accamma Kuruvilla( 2009 – 2011) – Actress(Malayalam)
7. Mr. Jayamoorthi. K ( 2003 -2005) –  Singer(Tamil)
8. Mr.P.Samanaraja (2003 -2005) –  Singer(Tamil)

TV MEDIA & FILM INSTITUTE

1. Dr.Boobalan .T ( 1991-1993) – DD Puducherry 
2. Mr.Ajit.M.Gopinath (1992 – 1994) - Head of programmes at Asia Net satellite Communications Ltd. Kerala
3. Mr.Jijoy P.R. ( 2003 – 2005) – Faculty (Acting),  Film Institute , Pune
4. Mr. Aneesh.K. (2012 -2014) – K.R.Narayanan National Film Institute, Kerala

NSD Graduates from New Delhi

1. Mr.Bharathi (2006 – 2008)
2. Mr.Anistes Regin Rose ( 2009 – 2011)
3. Mr. Arivazhagan . A (2010 – 2012)
4. Mr. Balasubramanian (2014-2016) --- (Doing)

INTER CULTURAL THEATRE INSTITUTE – Graduate from Singapore

1. Ramasamy. S (2010 – 2012)

5. Can a Career in the Performing Arts arena be a financially stable career option?

 Performing Arts as profession has so many career avenues starting from school teacher to cinema artist. Most of the famous cinema artists are the products who came from Theatre only. Pondicherry University students are getting jobs quickly and their salary is at par with other discipline PG students. However, these students are more popular and contributing to the society to a great extent compared to other discipline students. Therefore, it is one of the popular and very old professions in the world. 

6. What is your message to parents and students about the future of Performing Arts careers?

 Based on the interest and talent of the children, parents should encourage their children to move into this profession also along with engineering and medicine. Many traditional families provide teaching and training at an early stage in singing, dancing, painting and etc. but not acting, directing children towards Theatre and stage crafts Till recently, acting is not considered as profession of all levels of people in the society however, many families in cities are allowing their children to learn film related dancing which will lead to the cinema industry. The awareness about the uses and career benefits of Performing Arts among people of all walks of life is to be generated. The work done by these artists should be communicated to the public through newspapers, magazines, etc. Particularly Alchemy should focus on this and evolve as the best magazine in the arena of Performing Arts. Pondicherry University being the leading School in Performing Arts will continuously update the syllabus to meet with industry needs and also maintain quality at par with international schools and move to attain excellence in all respects.

I wish all the best to your magazine.