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The Beginning
It all dates back to 1949, when in a south Calcutta
district scouts rally in Chetla High School, a few rhymes written by
scouter Samar Chatterjee were demonstrated by the cubs. They were so
impressive that the president of the function, Dr. Kaildas Nag highly
complimented Sri Chatterjee and remarked- "We have no children's theatre
in our country. Why not make one such group!". Since that this idea
possessed Sri Samar Chatterjee till in 1951 it took a concrete shape in
an organisation that was named as 'Rhythms & Rhymes'. The movement was
cautiously launched. Encouraged by Sri N.N.Bose and inspired by audience
reaction, the first public show was held on New Empire stage on 11th
May,1952.
The impact was great and public attention was focused on the pioneering
work. Many leading schools extended their active support. In a meeting on
the 7th of July, 1952 the organisation was renamed as
"Children's Little Theatre", i.e., CLT or 'Sishu Rangmahal',
and was duly registered with the register, Joint Stock Companies, West
Bengal under Societies Act on 16th October, 1952.
Thus began the great movement with a band of selfless workers and a host
of well wishers. It became necessary to have a training centre to implement the ideas. The seed of the organisation had by then
taken roots, and gradually through struggle and success, zeal and
conviction, CLT had completed its first phase of existence with the
building up of its millions of rupees worth campus -,
"Aban Mahal", solely dedicated to the cause of the children. The
campus has been very aptly named after the famous writer and artist
Abanindranath Tagore, as a tribute to the great soul who gave a new
dimension to the children's world.
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