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University of Science & Technology Meghalaya celebrates William Shakespeare, the
Bard of Avon’s 453rd birthday
23nd April, 2017, USTM : The department of
English, University of Science & Technology Meghalaya had observed Shakespeare’s
453rd Birth Anniversary today through a Talk on Shakespeare’s dramatics. The
idea was to give impetus to literary discussion on Shakespeare, his dramatics,
his poetry and above all the literary tradition of the Elizabethan period, its
histrionics, its marked shift from Greek Nemesis to individualism and freedom
within. USTM Techno City campus got resonated today with the dialogues from
Shakespeare, staring from ancient Greek and Roman theatre to Italian
Renaissance. How this change of ethos was instrumental in the development of the
new drama, which was then beginning to make apart from the old mystery and
miracle plays of the Middle Ages. How William Shakespeare stands out in this
period both as a playwright and poet and for that matter, one excerpt from one
of his remarkable plays may be quoted : “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow /
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day/ To the last syllable of recorded
time/ And all our yesterdays have lighted fools/ The way to dusty death”- those
were the perspectives for today’s discussion.
On this grand occasion, Dr. Asha Kuthari Choudhury, Professor, Department of
English, Gauhati University, also chief guest of the program, had talked about
how Shakespeare’s plays are still so relevant and have an overpowering influence
on the entire gamut of theatrical studies or any other performing arts. She had
reminded the students one famous quote of the founder of theatre of cruelty,
Antonin Artaud “We are not free. And the sky can still fall on our heads. And
the theater has been created to teach us that first of all”. Dr. P G Rao, VC,
USTM had delineated how theatre as the oldest form of art can be used as a mode
of communication or disseminating messages to the audience or society as a
whole. Mr. Kapil Bora, Assamese actor, anchor had enthralled the audience with
his overwhelming rendition of a dialogue from Romeo & Juliet “ What lady is
that, which doth enrich the land/ O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!/
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night/ Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's
ear/ Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!’.
The students of the department of English had performed selected portions of The
Merchant of Venice where the characters of Antonio, Portia & Shylock were
delineated so powerfully with their strong stage presence, assertion of the
dialogue and spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.
Issued by
The Office of Communication & Public Relations
University of Science & Technology Meghalaya
Techno City Campus, 9th Maile, Khanapara
Meghalaya
Ph : 8486074265/0361-2895030
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