Street Theatre in India: Raising Awareness and Inspiring Change
By Paula Soares
Edited by Leni Wascher
Street performers in India use street theatre to bring critical social issues to the fore. This art of theater is commonly known as "street plays" or "nukkad natak," short energetic skits performed in marketplaces and parks. Themes related to gender discrimination, environmental issues, and even education are in the spotlight. The actors use simple language so their message comes across eloquently while telling/performing relatable stories.
These performances are aimed to inform people in an understandable way, while simultaneously being as accessible to all people as possible. Most of these performers believe street theatre is effective for social change because their target audiences are those who cannot read or receive messages through traditional media and education. The interaction with the audience itself allows them to alter the thinking of communities and to create action.
The street plays have received a lot of positive responses recently and are seen as a way to distill contemporary issues in a simple way. These actors prove that serious messages can be conveyed, and that changes can be created through creative means like street theatre. They contribute urging important dialogues to the front, affecting many lives in various ways.
Work Cited
Zahan, Nazneen. “The street actors spreading awareness about social issues in India.” Euronews.com, 17 January 2022, https://www.euronews.com/culture/2022/01/17/the-street-actors-spreading-awareness-about-social-issues-in-india. Accessed 22 September 2024.
