IIM-C sets stage for a new subject: Dramatics

The Indian Institute of Management-Calcutta (IIM-C) plans to redesign its strategic management course curriculum to include dramatics. The B-school has invited the famous theatre group Nandikar to conduct the classes.

Theatre group Nandikar, that boasts of stalwarts like Rudraprasad Sengupta, Goutam Halder, Debshanker Halder and Swatilekha Sengupta, was chosen by IIM-C because it is one of the most successful theatre groups in Kolkata.

It has also worked with corporates and is therefore expected to have gained in experience to train IIM-C students in management strategies that corporates weigh while recruiting B-school candidates.

Confirming the development, Bishwatosh Saha, faculty of strategic management at IIM-C, said: "We have decided to have dramatics as part of the curriculum for 2nd year students. The subject will be added to the strategic management curriculum."

"Although Nandikar has informed that it is ready to take classes with IIM-C students, we are awaiting a formal response. We will work out the course details soon," Saha said.

Although the new modules on dramatics would be finalised by early 2008, it is likely to include topics like voice modulation, situational analysis, conflict negotiation, among others.

According to IIM-C instructors, there are several lessons to be learnt from theatre and dramatics. Theatre helps students develop the confidence that's essential for speaking clearly, lucidly, and thoughtfully.

Oral communication skills are so important to some employers that they often send management trainees to special workshops. IIM-C students would already have an advantage.

IIM-C instructors note that theatre teaches to work effectively with different types of people, often very different types. Theatre demands that participants work together cooperatively for the production to success.

In theatre, it's important that each individual supports the others involved. This trait, in turn, would please prospective IIM-C employers.

IIM-C instructors also note that theatre teaches to work effectively with different types of people, often very different types. Students are required to work within the structure of a set of procedures and rules that deal with everything from shop safety to behaviour at auditions, rehearsals and work calls. They, therefore, learn to be a 'good follower'.