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Street
Theatre "Insan Naatik"
The street theatre of Insan Foundation dates back to 1994
when Insan Foundation Pakistan was running educational centers
for laboring children. Acknowledging the abilities of those
children in performing and deep interest in movies, the
theatre group was launched as Mistree Natik (Mechanics'
Theatre). Later on, the name was revised to give theatre
a broader outlook.
The need of Insan Natik is rooted in the fact that theatre
in Pakistan is mostly commercialized and expensive. It hardly
highlights serious issues and supports only the state's
perception. Only a handful of groups focus issues concerning
people. However, children don’t have any space in
them. A platform was therefore required where children could
talk about their rights in particular and touch in general
the culturally or ideologically sensitive issues which create
unrest in public and the state's corridors otherwise. For
instance, talking about the issue of domestic violence is
quite unappreciable in Pakistan. But it is only the magic
of theatre that allows to raise it. Similarly, addressing
ghetto mentality or conservatism, child abuse, early marriage
system or big issues like peace becomes easier on the platform
of theatre.
Since establishment, Insan Natik has experimented in different
forms and with various themes. For instance, it started
off as stage theatre. Then gradually it transformed itself
into a street theatre and started reaching parks, bus stops,
trains and buses. This new outlook made the shows cheaper,
more frequent and mobile enough to set at any place. Similarly,
it used to address the issue of child labor in the beginning.
But now with nearly a decade down the road, the issues like
peace, gender and child rights fall under its purview.
Presently, Insan Natik is both street and stage theatre
group, performing in Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi and
other cities. It also assists the organization in furthering
its peace campaign.
It is encouraging a fact for IFP that the role of the youth
and children in Natik is becoming all the more important
as scriptwriters, performers and directors of the plays.
The role of IFP is now that of a facilitator in the entire
process.
Some of the plays that Natik has documented on video over
this time are:
• Braa-e-Frokht (For Sale!)
• Chitti Kabotri (White Pigeon)
• Meem Kukri ("M" stands for Hen)
• Shaetaan (Satan)
• Dehshut Gurd (Terrorist)
• Azaadi (Liberation)
Insan Natik also provides training to interested individuals.
It has performed in Ontario, Canada during its trip for
preparation of its documentary namely "Dove Days".
During its trip, the group also provided training to the
students of John Abbot College, Ontario Canada.
Apply to Insaan Naatak
Download
Insan Naatik Form
To
order "Dove Days" contact insan@insanpk.org
or go to Contact IFP page
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