Street play and India share a long relation dating back to about 5000 years. The earliest form of theatre being the Sanskrit theatre. Bharata’s ‘Natya Shastra’ was the one of the earliest play enacted in India. Street play involves presentation in outdoor public spaces without a specific and paying audience but a fairly large group. These spaces can be anywhere, including malls, car parks, street corners etc. These plays may address serious issues like HIV/AIDS, saving the girl child, family planning, corruption or BREAST CANCER AWARENESS. The actors who perform the street theatre maybe people like organized theatre companies or groups like Eksangh, that want to send across a social message or to advertise their mainstream work.
In recent years street play has picked up pace and has acquired an image of a more moral nature with just the right kind of fun. Better known as ‘nukad natak’, ‘sheri natak’ today, is perhaps the best way to connect with the common man. These are much intimate, brief, direct and address the social/political message head-on with the help of drama. The catchy phrases and songs, crisp script, humor and loudness help in making a long lasting and powerful effect on viewers. These plays can really stir up emotions, create awareness and lead the way towards positive change. It not only enlightens people but gives us, the citizens to voice our opinion too! These plays can create a positive impact and can lead to drastic changes in our society.Changes towards a better tomorrow. Change in society comes with the change in the mindset of the people and street plays can rightly achieve that goal.
Awareness Is Empowering! 