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

---AIM, OBJECTIVES AND EVOLUTION OF BAL NATYA UTSAV---

AIM:

Bal Natya Utsav is the manifestation of the philosophy of ‘theatre of relevance’ practiced by Experimental Theatre Foundation [ETF], which aims to bring about the social changes through theatre. It aims to provide a platform to as many children as possible’.

Aiming to reach maximum number of children in an organized manner, ETF launched the first Bal Natya Utsav [BNU] in the year 1999. The vulnerable little actors within the age group of 6 to 16, belonging to different NGOS perform several plays in the 2-day festival that are not removed from their existence. The stories are in fact straight lifted from their lives, scripted and sometimes even directed by the children, themselves, which provides them a platform for a collective expression. The process helps the children to fight their own circumstances by becoming aware of the problems in different situations and thereby enhancing their confidence and self-esteem .The Bal Natya Utsav promotes the performance of both, the stage & street plays, made possible through the networking among various NGOS and other related agencies.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To spread awareness in the society about the right of the children to participate and encourage the children to do so.

2. To provide a stand to children for a ‘ collective’ expression to let them feel the power of strength.

3. To equip NGOS with the theatrical skills to enable them to use theatre as a strategy for social change.

4. To sensitize the masses about the various issues affecting children in difficult situations by creating awareness.

5. To promote networking among NGOs and other concerned agents.

EVOLUTION OF BNU:

In the year 1994, a play called ‘ Mera Bachpan ‘ brought about a revolutionary reform in a certain segment of the society in Mumbai. The play, conceived by Manjul Bhardwaj of ETF dealt with the issue of child laborers, which had a powerful impact on children as well as their parents. The staging of play all over the country witnessed about 747 children quitting their work to join school. ETF not only channelised the sensitivity of parents towards the children by encouraging them to send their children to school through awareness but also of the employers who discouraged the children below 18 from working. ETF has successfully managed to keep the socio-economic factors affecting the education of children at bay by intervention & counseling the adults.

Thus the path breaking intervention of theatre into child laborers lives brought about a revolutionary social change that led ETF to share its experience with other NGOs to motivate them to walk on the trodden path.

Many NGOS who have already been carrying out the outstanding welfare activities for vulnerable children extended their support whole-heartedly. Realizing the impact of theatre on children they not only welcomed it but also made a valuable contribution from their side without which the BNU would not be able to achieve its objectives.      Back to BNU -----------------------------------------------------------------------------