A Class Act

The play is an extension of the philosophy and effort of Hamari Kaksha,an NGO of city-based teachers working over the last few years for children from lesser-privileged sections of society,including those who have never been to school or are drop-outs. The NGO has been helping them get basic education and develop their personality. “We create a bond with them and help them in becoming a part of the mainstream and then cope with their backgrounds. Theatre plays an effective role in it,” says Kumar.

Dr Anuradha Sharma,who started Hamari Kaksha from scratch,knows from experience that their new street theatre project will give wings to many dreams,as theatre has in the past,along with education. She looks back at the long and tough journey and agrees they are on a brand new stage today,using theatre as a tool for empowerment. “We first started dealing with their personality problems,since many of the children were grappling with insecurities,low confidence and self-esteem,” says Sharma as she recalls how many would not speak or respond. “Slowly,through theatre exercises,games and music,we got to know their minds and started connecting with them,” adds Kumar,who runs his own theatre company,Alankar,and has done many local and national productions,including some for Delhi’s National School of Drama. The idea to do street theatre came with an aim to help children gain confidence by performing for a live audience.

Some of Kaksha’s children are now being trained in set and costume designing,make-up and theatre music by Kumar,who is an actor,director,teacher,mentor,all rolled into one. “A few of them have been part of short films and it’s amazing how they can improvise,work in a crowd and handle tricky situations on and off the stage,” says Kumar

Through Koshish Zaari Hai,a CSR initiative of a company in IT Park,the endeavour is to create awareness about education. The play,written by Kumar,is a satire on how the common man has to run from pillar to post to get his basic rights. “Apart from staging this play in public areas across the city,we hope to take it to various schools and organisations,in order to integrate the underprivileged children of our NGO with those of mainstream schools. It’s all free of cost,’’ adds Sharma,as the young actors get ready for a performance at Aurobindo School.