Children’s Theater

CHILDREN’S THEATRE (Kuzhanthaigal Kootharangam)

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ADECOM Network and Kootu-k-Kural began a children’s theater program in 2009. Children’s theatre, is about enhancing and developing the imagination and talent of children though Art, Drama, Dancing, Singing, Yoga, Clay Art, Paper, etc. The mission of this project is to provide artistic skill training to Dalit children who may not otherwise have the opportunity. Dalit folk arts such as Parayattam, Kollattam, Kombattam, Therukootu etc have dwindled in the course of time. Hence our objective is to revive these cultural forms and infuse them into Street Theatre.

Dropout children especially face the problem of early marriage and sexual harassment due to poverty. To avoid such circumstances Kootu-k-Kural provides capacity training to impart knowledge on gender perspective and sensitivity for social justice, democratic principles and human rights. Capacity training helps children choose their areas of interest and helps them with career choices.

The Street Theater Program has drawn the attention of local village people towards their own social and cultural issues. Kootu-k-Kural is a collective voice of emancipation and conveys the issues that the Dalits face via children’s theater. The street theatre also aims to bring equality to both the sexes and impart knowledge about Dalit rights and to inculcate Dr. Ambedkar’s values.

Street Theatre is frequently used as a tool for communicating information  and in particular to bring about attitudinal and behavioral change and changes in life style.  Groups of actors or puppets perform a play containing a particular message with audience participation.

Theatre is also used to analyze,  and discus identity problems and to seek solutions with the participation of the community’s children and adolescents. Through dialogue, Theatre raises their level of awareness and contributes to the empowerment of all involved. It may mobilize people to take action and support them in the process of social and political changes. Children’s theatre meets the need for gender justice and equality at various levels of education. There are many Dalit students and children who study in government schools who would not otherwise have this opportunity. The Street Theater Program has drawn the attention of local village people toward their own social and cultural issues.

Some of the topics include:

• Importance of education (especially girls)
• Domestic violence awareness
• Environmental pollution
• Dalit empowerment
• Socio-economic emancipation
• Family welfare

There is also a Children’s Festival organized by Ms. P. Lalidamballe, manager of ADECOM. Student Union President Master Ajit Kumar welcomed all the invitees to the festival. The children participated in various competitions including painting, dance, and music. Prizes were distributed to the winners by Mr. Dhandapani, Head Master and National Award Winner for his teachings in puppet making and performance experiences.

The children’s theatre (Kuzhanthaigal Kootharangam) was a huge success among the children, their parents and the public.

• Children were provided with future employment opportunities.
• Training helps bring out their inner talent and builds knowledge.
• Provided a platform for children to display their work.
• Motivated children to perform better communications.

Activities:

The Children and adolescent theatre activities held in different villages in the following locations for the year 2009-2010.  All the events were held in Dalit villages, Govt. schools and education department complex.  In these events more than 1454 beneficiaries were taught the creativity skills and knowledge through Koozanthaigal Kootharangam, theatre forum.

S. No	Date	Place	Participants
1	05.04.2009	Nallathur	130 students
2	19.04.2009	Kumaramangalam	98 Students
3	08.05.2009	Pallithennal	350 Students
4	04.06.2009	Veerampattinam	100 Students
5	06.07.2009	Nagappanur	75 Students
6	29.08.2009	Muthupillai Palayam	128 Students
7	9.2009	Vinobha Nagar	105 students
8	27.10.2009	Pangur, Govt Primary School	120 Students
9	19.11.2009	Nonangkuppam	110 Students
10	12.01.2010	Thirukanchipet	150 Dalit children
11	22.02.2010	Periapet, Govt Primary School	120 Students
12	10.03.2010	Education Department Complex	150 Students

Output of the Activities

• The Children and adolescents discovered their creative talents and exhibited them in the form of art and music to their parents and public.
• The Children and adolescents learned new ideas and thoughts. They also learned about the ways in which they could enhance their creativity.
• The Dalit folk art such as Kollattam, Kombattam, Paraiyattam etc were taught to the children and they also learned about how effectively one can communicate through one’s own regional medium.
• The children and adolescents were enthusiastic and motivated to be trained with skills such as Drawing, Painting, Puppet show, Clay modeling, Singing, Dance, Storytelling, and Theatre etc.
• The children and adolescents learned about team work and building a relationship with fellow mates. They also learned how to present themselves in a public forum.
• The children and adolescents were told about the values of Dr. Ambedkar and his teachings were covered thoroughly.
• The volunteers of Kootu-k-kural taught different experiments regarding air pressure in water, land, etc which was later exhibited by children themselves to the public.
• The children and adolescents were introduced to a practical environment by taking them out from their classrooms to nearby places to learn about Air, water Pollution and its harmful effects.

Activities:

The Kootu-K-Kural artists gave their street theatre performances in the following villages for the year 2009-2010.  The artists focused the street play on Dalit women issues, and Dalit rights regarding children, education, health and job opportunities.  More than 1,800 people watched the performance about the Dalit rights and their development, including gender sensitivity and humanitarian values.  The artists and local volunteers, nearly 20 members, performed their shows and spread the message in villages, schools and public places.

S. No	Date	Place	Participants
1	09.05.2009	Ariyapalayam Village	100
2	07.06.2009	Kiz Kumaramangalam	100
3	14.06.2009	Dr. Ambedkar Manimandapam	120
4	09.07.2009	Adingapattupet	80
5	13.08.2009	Avai Nagar	150
6	23.09.2009	Navammal Maruthur	200
7	21.10.2009	Ariyur	100
8	22.11.2009	Pillayarkuppam	110
9	28.11.2009	Mannadipatti	120
10	06.12.2009	Melazhunjupattu	110
11	07.03.2010	Uppallam – Elementary School Grounds	500
12	20.03.2010	Chamber of Commerce	250

In this year we scripted around 9 street plays namely Kuzhandhai Manam, Suttrusuzhallum vala adharamum, Kadhai solla porom, bheemai, Pinju Manam, Bheevari, Viralnuniyil Vanam, Thaali, Muttal Muniyama. We staged around 7 plays in the villages and 3 for the children.

Preproduction stages:

1. A particular village was selected and the volunteers visited  to research the kind of messages needed to be given there.
2. Then the artists were chosen from the village and given training.
3. Permission was sought from the village head and the stage was set up for the play.

On the basis of our objective, street theatre performances were held in villages and rural urban settings. Issues with current interests and importance were performed by the volunteers. The actors use dance, music, Parai and a lot of humor to get the message across to the people.

ADECOM and Kootu-k-Kural has always given importance to training the youngsters and adolescents for street theatre as they take forward the future Dalit society and development.

Outcome attained by the beneficiaries:

• The youngsters are provided with employment opportunities for the future.
• The training helps to bring out their inner talent, skills and their knowledge.
• The children and youngsters are motivated to perform better communication.
• Help to build a better environment in the society
• Provides a platform to display their talents through exhibitions.

Means of Verification:

• Nearly 9 boys and 7 girls received employment opportunities in companies for DTP operators, typist, secretary and accountancy.
• Throughout the 2 year training, they received certificates which  have been registered in the employment office for their future carrier.
• Documents, photos available in the office.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Vocational Training imparts specialized skills and knowledge and instills social and political attitudes and behavioral patterns essential for economic success.  The motivation of this training is to meet both qualitative and quantitative skills and semi skilled manpower requirement for self employment and in service sector, companies.

The aim is to ensure participants have minimum technical skills  sufficient to obtain employment in the market. These can be learned through professional training with the support of experts.  The young girls and boys must obtain multiple skills and be open to the concept of lifelong learning opportunities.  This allows recognition of certification of skills acquired effectively.

The adolescents from the villages in and around Pondicherry were given vocational training to enhance their technical skills. The main objective was to establish competentcy in computerization, type writing, soft and hardware maintenance. Also to motivate adolescents from an economically disatvantaged class, and to provide them the opportunity  to develop their individual skills.

Activities

S. No	Date	Place	Participants
1	10.05.2009 to 20.05.2009	Bodhi art center, Ariyapalayam Villianur computer centre	98 Dalit children and adolescent
2	01.10.2009 to 07.10.2009	Bodhi art center, Ariyapalayam Villianur computer centre.	102 Dalit children and adolescent

Outcome attained by the beneficiaries:

• The young girls and boys learned various vocational skills with enthusiasm and interest.
• They were trained to work on their own which helps them for their future self dependence.
• The youngsters develop  confidence for seeking employment opportunities.

Children’s Comments

Sumanraj

My name is Sumanraj. I am in 7th standard. My father name is Perumal. I live in Mangalam village at Puducherry. My father is farmer for daily wages. So there is no income in my family. I want to learn more for my family. But in my family there is no more income. That time Kkk introduced to students club and I joined with them. I got more knowledge by these programs as a computer, singing, story telling, playing drama, drawing and Dalit culture.

I really enjoyed my free time in Bodhi cultural centre with my friends.  I used to come here and learn many things.  I learned yoga exercises and games and performed in front of others.  All my friends encourage my presentation skill and I told stories to others.

I was joined with the exposure trip and enjoyed the places and experiences with my friends.  I have developed my confidence to read poems myself on Tamil language.

I enjoyed the cultural activities when my friends have given their shows in front of us.  I observed their shows and enjoyed their plays, songs and cultural actions.  I liked the drum beating when they performed with the group vise appearance.

Now I am very happy and I want to join with Kootu-K-Kural. And I have to change my life.

Karthika

My name is Karthika. I am in 7th standard. My father name is Selvam and my father is construction Labour in daily wages. I live in Mangalam at puducherry. I joined with Kootu-K-Kural as student club member. Previous I had not any knowledge but now with the help of Kootu-K-KuralI enhanced my knowledge in Drawing, Singing, Periyattam, Kolattam, playing Drama, and Mask.

I am taking part in cultural team and showed my talent for learning drum beating, kombattam and dancing steps.  I used to come here on my holidays and enjoyed with everyone for learning new things.  In my village it is hard to play with others because there is no place for my learning’s and enjoyment.  When I came to know this place I really happy to come here and spend my time with my friends.

I attended the children festival and exposure trip.  All these events had given the great time to meet different friends in other villages and we talked with them their arts and cultural actions.  I am happy to learn the life history of Dr.Ambedkar because in my village I heard about his struggle for our people.

I have the opportunity to learn computers and typewriting and improve my knowledge.  So I thank to Kootu-K-Kural for providing these things. I am very pleased to have participated in this program regularly.

Kanimoji

My name is Kanimoji, my father’s name is Thangarasu. I am currently studying in 7 STD. I live in Mangalam in Puducherry. My father works as a daily wages employee. The money that he earns is usually not spent on the family; he spends it on his habits. Because of this we are financially not secure and due to this i am not happy.

After joining Kootu-K-Kural I am bit happier. I get to learn a lot like computers, drama, clay art, and painting. When I am at Bodhi cultural centre with my friends I am very happy and need not worry about my difficulties. I spent my time with others for learning new things.

I have the free time to go and joined the monthly meetings, children events.  I have the chance to participate the events and showed my talent on singing songs, writing skits, poems.  All my friends interested to play in Bodhi centre and we have more friends from different places. Everyone would like to visit this place for our enjoyment.

I am interest to continue my studies like the others and this is my ambition. I am sincerely share my thanks to Kootu-K-Kural team members.

Manikandan

My name is Manikandan, my father’s name is Veeramuthu, I am studying in class 7 and I am from Valluvanpet in Puducherry. My father works as a daily wager, he is a painter. WE are a family of five, as my father’s salary was not enough I could not study further.  Kootu-K-Kural’s volunteer joined me to the student club. After this my knowledge had grown. I have learnt to write poetry, drawing and I have started to ask a lot of question on the thing around me. I have made children from village joining the student club; even they are doing well now.

I was regularly participated all the trainings, events organized by Kootu-K-Kural team members.  They came to my village and conducted the Kuzanthaigal Kootharam event.  Through this event I came to know about their play, performances, drum beating and songs, dances.  When I seen this event first time I wanted to join this group and wanted to learn all these arts and skills.  Everyone cooperated with me so nicely and they motivated for my yoga practices, dances and computer learning in the office.

In my village all my age group friends and elders were interested to start the educational centre for our studies.  With the support of Kootu-K-Kural we got the opportunity to develop our knowledge and our skills in Bodhi cultural centre.  It is near to my village and I use to go for all the events frequently with our friends.

When I was participated the vocational camp I joined the various competitions like singing songs, speech competition about the leaders, science quiz etc.  I got the prices of notebooks, pen, and geometry box, bags, t-shirts and the certificate.  All our friends were happy on this occasion and we really need these events very often for developing our creativity arts and culture with the support of Kootu-K-Kural and ADECOM team members.

I would like to share my thanks to everyone for building our knowledge towards higher studies to respect by everyone.