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Some responses from participating
children: For
eight year old Sunaina, I have enjoyed the most participating in
the play. My enjoyment has been more than anyone might have enjoyed
watching the play. At first I was very shy. My teachers have always
coaxed me to speak louder. I used to be a shy girl. So I was very
nervous at the beginning of the theatre workshop. However, the sound
exercises in the workshop helped me to be loud and I could not believe
myself when I first heard my voice in the auditorium during the stage
rehearsal. The play has instilled in me a sense of confidence which I
do not want to ever loose.
We children too have dreams, but I do not
much express my dreams, for I do not know if they can ever be
fulfilled. However, acting in this play, bringing in a message of
peace and harmonious living, I now feel encouraged to explore
opportunities in life and be able to earn enough to take care of my
parents as they do for me, who are also indeed proud of my skills and
intelligence. The theatre workshop has instilled in me a strict sense
of discipline through physical, mental and spiritual exercises and
performing in the play has enabled me to dream dreams. Javed
alias Gyansu, the protagonist of the play says, I now know what achievement in life is.
Earlier I used to act in skits but a play staged in a big auditorium
has been a dream come true. For
Sanna a student of class 10 in Delhi Brotherhood Society, Earlier my life had no purpose, it was
just work, eat, drink and sleep. This entire experience has brought a
meaning into my life. Synopsis of the play SHANTI
SHANTHAM Long ago there
was a small state called Aarampur, where people were united, hard
working and lived a prosperous life. There
was no King neither was it ruled by any queen. In it was no caste
system, no high priests, no class differences, nor were their any
bourgeoisie or proletariat. King Andhakar (darkness) of the Aalas, Krodh and Phoot were no ordinary
demons; Aalas made the people lazy, so that they would not think of
their duties and would laze around doing no work. Krodh, made people
irritated and angry, soon the loving people of Aarampur started
fighting with each other over petty issues. Phoot worked silently in
dividing the people over colour and caste. The simple people of
Aarampur fell for the tricks of these clever demons. Soon the peaceful
state of Aarampur was in a state of chaos with people were fighting
and arguing with each other. The elders also stopped their children
from playing with each other and going to school together. The children of
Aarampur got very troubled by this and decided to go to Gyansu (the
wise man), for help. He told them that he can take them to a place
called Shanti Shantham where there is only Love, Peace and ample
resources for everyone. For this they had to cross Shiksha (knowledge)
river which only people with pure hearts can cross. And they all set out for the magic land
led by Gyansu. Gyansu led them to Shanti Shantham to
liberate the people of Aarampur, and while he did so he gave his heart
and sacrificed himself. Little Sunaina could see him shine on the sky
as a star and showed the star to all. The children wanted a world of peace and
so they went there. They stood before the audience and challenged one
and all to join them and create a world of peace and harmony.
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A
theatre workshop was organized for the Street and Working Children of
the Delhi Brotherhood Society from 10 March - 
Fourteen
year old Phurkan, the lead character in a negative role in the play,
stole people’s hearts with his wonderful performance. A boy from the
Muslim background and a son of a cobbler, Phurkan says,