Children perform a street play in Katihar on Tuesday. Picture by Mohan Mahato

Katihar, April 5: Students of Colonel’s Academy today performed nukkad natak (street plays) on social issues on the Katihar court premises and in front of the office of sub-divisional officer.

Through the performance, the students spread awareness about social evils like female foeticide, dowry, bribe, school dropouts and corruption in the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. The students had also performed these plays at Hasanganj Chowk yesterday.

Father Anand, the director of non-governmental organisation (NGO) Vishwa Jyotish and Communication, has trained the students. He told The Telegraph: “I have been trying to bring about social change through drama, as was done in our country in the ancient times. Children aged between eight and 12 performed street plays with social messages can have a great impact.”

The NGO, active in four districts of the state — Sasaram, Bakhtiyarpur, Bettiah and Muzaffarpur, trains children to perform street plays. Sources said Anand had been very successful with his programmes that use drama for social change in Uttar Pradesh.

Anand said the children were trained in various skills like making eye contact with the audience and chanting choruses that are important techniques to attract the attention of the audience.

Umesh Paswan, a member of the audience, said: “The children’s performance was outstanding. The emotions they showcased in the play Dulha bikta hain were very moving. These plays not only communicated social messages but were also very well performed.”

Dinesh Yadav, a member of the audience, said: “I was on some urgent work. But the performance was so interesting that I stood rooted to the spot. The children did not use musical instruments, costumes or props in the performance. But their body language and dialogue delivery were amazing.”

He added that he had never seen such a performance, even on stage.

Arun Kumar, the director of the school, told The Telegraph: “The training imparted to the students has helped build confidence among them, especially girls, to perform on the street.”