The Experimental Theatre Foundation`s Initiative      Back to BNU
BAL NATYA UTSAV : : (Children Theatre Festival)
(A Process Report) : : by Darshana Dube

FOREWARD

As a journalist and a creative writer I have written about various issues including the social ones. But when I encountered ETF’s novel method of tackling social issues, during the course of my work, it really intrigued me immensely. So besides reporting about it I also started interacting with its founder member Manjul Bhardwaj, to know more about it. During this interaction, I got highly impressed by his dedication and hard work that was driven by a passion! I was in for a pleasant surprise when I discovered that the passion was entirely fuelled by pure conviction, which motivated me to take up the documentation of the process of Bal Natya Utsav.

Initially it did not excite me enough and seemed pale compared to both, the fictitious reel life characters of my tales and even the real life characters of my news stories. But this was only till I met the little street actors! Initially when they shared their experiences of theatre with me in an astonishingly articulate manner, I felt it was the result of efficient coaching as many of them already had a sufficient exposure to media. But as my interaction, with about 50 children belonging to seven different organizations, grew beyond the initial levels, I sensed their true confidence and understanding levels. My 8 years of teaching experience prior to my being a writer helped me to listen to what they were saying instead of mere hearing, and to feel instead of mere seeing and ultimately I was convinced of their true transformation.

What was more amazing was the fact that these children who belong to the weaker socio-economic section of the society were much more aware of their problems and the possible solutions which saw a unique kind of confidence in them, compared to even the children belonging to the well heeled section of the society.

Personally, I strongly feel that ‘theatre of relevance ‘ should not be limited only to solve the burning social issues concerning the vulnerable children supported by several NGOS but it should be introduced in all schools for all age groups for children to solve their emotional, physical, relationship-based, psychological and peer-pressure problems to bring about the subtle social changes. Most of these schools use theatre as a medium of entertainment to showcase the children’s histrionic abilities limited only to the Annual Day Programs. ‘Theatre of relevance’ if applied on a regular basis can bring about amazing cathartic experiences to children helping them to be bolder and less fearful.

The same holds true for the adults. ETF has already moved in that direction through its workshops on ‘attitudinal changes through theatre’, proving that theatre offers an immense potential to the society as a whole.

What is also commendable is the fact that ETF, does not only strive to bring about the social changes through theatre but also try to keep the factors, disturbing the change, at bay by getting involved at the grass root level through intervention and provision of necessary help.

Last but not the least, it has been a very rewarding experience working with ETF.

Darshana Dube
E-mail: darshanadube@yahoo.com      Back to BNU -----------------------------------------------------------------------------