The Talking Parrot

Using theatre as a tool of empowerment,Khan runs an evening school to shape the future of many. “It’s through the theatre that they have got a chance to live with dignity. Education is a great leveller for these children who were ragpickers,shoeshine boys,and domestic/ pavement workers,’’ says Khan,looking at his young actors with a sense of pride.

For the last four months or so,these children have not only been rehearsing for their parts,but also creating every bit of the elaborate set,replete with 100 books,25 masks of parrots,hammers,drills,tools,cleaning equipment,costumes and a seven-foot high cage,by recycling old materials. The play is designed and dramatised by Prof Mahendra Kumar,chairperson of the Department of Indian Theatre at Panjab University,while Khan directed it.

Sensitively,through dance,music and props,the play depicts the burden,suffocation and psychological problems that today’s children go through because of the faulty education system. “The parrot is the protagonist,the central character. Several teachers make an attempt to create a genius out of him. The end result: the parrot dies,’’ Khan continues.

Khan says he is not claiming to create brilliant actors,but just making sure these children gain confidence and are able to utilise their energy creatively. “This will instill some dignity in them and they will have something to look up to,” he says.