5.
Theatre of Relevance paved way to Discovery of India!
-Manjul Bhardwaj
One performance led to another, one training led to another & a caravan was built. Mouth publicity paved the way to theatrically discover India. Which corporate joint needs millions to do through paid news & publicity? People started inviting us to conduct Theatre of Relevance workshops in their states.
I was pleased to receive a telegram form Dalhousie in September 1994 to conduct a Theatre of Relevance workshop. This was my first visit to state of Himachal Pradesh. I had a fantastic journey to the beautiful place Dalhousie. Participants of the workshop prepared short plays on social issues. At the end the participant performed these plays in the main market of Dalhousie. This successful experiment motivated the organizers to organize more workshops in J&K, Punjab, UP. During the workshops in Amritsar I visited Khem Karan border. Inspite of all instruction by our forces I went till the last pole. The patriotism was high, passion for India is supreme. There was no fear at all while standing face to face with Pakistani rangers. Saw the destroyed Patton tank singing the bravery of Indian army & Abdul Hamid!
In Rajasthan we travelled to remote tribal villages. All participants were male. Male members did the role of male & female characters.
Conducted workshop for my University in Rohtak, Haryana. This was organized by literacy Mission of India. It was a fascinating experience dealing with hyper personalities. The participants prepared plays on literacy & performed all over district.
Our team was performing in Mumbai also & a team of 2-3 members were conducting the workshops out of Mumbai. We had conducted a series of workshops with villagers in Amravati district of Maharashtra. This was with collaboration with a social organization working with farmers, villagers, women & youth on health issues.
We prepared play on water conservation paani adva-paani jhirva (Block water-save water). Many issues were highlighted in a 3 years campaign like diarrhea, mal nutrition, superstitions, dowry, cleanliness etc. We carried out a ‘jatra’ throughout Vidrabh. Village to village performed plays, villagers gave the dal & rice…the team cooked in boudh Mandir’s …a phenomenal experience of connect, creativity & rural community contribution. India is rich in resources & cultural diversity… only need a connect with vision!
We shook the audience through our performances. I remember one such performance in Tiwsa a taluka of Amravati. In the main bazar there was a tikona park. The performers mobilized the audience through songs & slogans. As the audience settled, one performer started distributing ash. He was taking to the audience “in the morning you read the newspaper. A girl was burnt alive for dowry by in laws. See this front page news. See she was my daughter. I can’t do anything. This is her ash. I am distributing so that your daughter is not burnt for dowry”. Whole audience was stunned, filled with tears. Every one took a pledge “hunda ghenaar naahin, hunda denaar naahin” (will not give or accept dowry)!
During that time children dying of malnutrition in Melghat – a tiger reserve was hitting the headlines. We conducted workshop with Melghat adivasis. The venue was in the forest. Saw bear walking from a distance. Community in this region speaks Kurku.
Likewise we travelled form Mumbai to Manipur, Srinagar to kanyaKumari through peoples support & participation. I will write a memoir for each state later. For time being the message is; India is rich & culturally diverse. The theatre performers living in Mumbai or Delhi must travel India & discover themselves theatrically. I am sure they will have their life time experience, which will create an indigenous theatre movement.
Our mission of Discovering India through ‘Theatre of Relevance’ is still going on …
..to be continued…
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