Bhubaneswar: Public outrage over brutal incidents of rape in UP, Kathua, Surat and even at Balasore in Odisha recently has been followed by widespread debate on the need to change the prevailing mind-set of society and how it is possible to ensure safety of women.
In order to bring about change it is essential to first create awareness and street plays are a medium for that. As a street play or ‘nukkad’ is a traditional form of art it touches issues that affect us on a daily basis. There are many street play groups in the capital city with young members who are eager to raise awareness about prevailing social problems.
Prateek Maurya, member of the street play group ‘Kartavya’, said his group organises street plays in the rural areas of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack to sensitise people about many issues. He said the issue of women’s safety is vital and it is alarming that
rape of minors is becoming common in the country. “We regularly perform plays that touch upon the issue of women’s safety. In the rural areas of the city superstitions such as witchcraft are still prevalent. Women suffering from diseases are ostracized as witches and locked up in dark rooms with
out food. Through our plays we try to create awareness about social maladies,” he said. The group, which has more than 100 members, said in the coming days the group is planning to perform plays highlighting women’s safety in the city.
Anisha Kumar of Kala Light said, “As a girl I feel the pain a rape victim suffers. Issues like this need to be tackled with firmly. The protection of women is in the hands of those who think women are objects and must be punished. Through plays we try to instill courage in women to stand up against sexual predators.
Prashant Kumar Jha of Anubhuti group said in the coming days “we are planning to organise a play near Ram Mandir to showcase the brutality of rape and how it leaves a scar that the victims carry throughout their lives”. Navnil Niraj of Goonj said the recent rape incidents have put the entire nation to shame. “Through our group channels we upload videos in which we discussed the issues like exploitation of women. Women must assert their powers and must fight back,” he said. Srirang Ketkar of Kash said, “We are planning to organise a play near the city railway station to highlight issues of torture and abuse meted out to women.”
Arindam Ganguly, OP
