STREET THEATRE - THE THIRD THEATRE: AGENTS FOR SOCIAL ENGINEERING IN INDIA
ABSTRACT: Street Theatre in
India, referred to as the ‘Third Theatre’ as a form of social and cultural communication,
is deeply rooted in the Indian tradition. Many complex social issues be it
gender related, child labor, imparting knowledge about HIV and AIDS, the need
to educate a girl child, social and political systems, dynastic politics, are
all enacted through the genre of ‘street plays’. There is a ‘stage discussion’
through varying perspectives of a number of characters, bringing an ‘immediacy and
urgency’ to the theme under consideration. It is a situation, where the
audience has not come prepared to watch a play, may not have time on hand,
hence the impact of a ‘street play’ is direct , close, intimate and effective.
The impact is ‘immediate’. A ‘convince-convert’ strategy is employed accompanied
by a ‘Dholak’ (Indian percussion musical instrument) or a ‘choir’ to attract
the crowd atthe cross roads or any street corner.
Keywords: Street Theatre,
revolutionary, proscenium, complex social issues, stage discussion, revitalizing
theatre using ‘bhasha’, instrument for immediate impact
Author: Shrimati Das and Asha.
N. Rabb
Journal Code: jpantropologigg120003
