Youngsters take part in a theatre workshop in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 10: Members of six theatre groups from various districts of the state were trained on ways to educate people about family planning through entertainment.

The five-day workshop concluded in the city on Monday.

Around 45 artistes took part in the workshop where they were instructed on ways to churn out live performances and build better connection with the target audience.

Trained under actor and director Satwik Raja, the artistes at the workshop staged a play titled, Khushira Mantra, that aimed at promoting family planning methods.

The play vividly describes the lives of two young women after marriage. The protagonist of the play, Sita, is well versed with family planning methods, while Gita remains unaware of the ways to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

The two friends meet after five years and discusses about their lives. While Sita tells about the healthy life that she has been leading, Gita laments about the problems that she faced for being absolutely ignorant. The conversation between the two women is rightfully projected and a number of dance and musical recitals have been involved into the play to make it engaging as well as entertaining.

“Theatre has the power to persuade, so it will be immensely helpful in motivating people to resort to family planning methods. I have tried to work on their delivery skills along with making them acquainted with the tricks of the trade of gathering attention of the audience,” said Satwik Raja. The artistes will stage the play at villages and towns across the state and influence people to use contraceptives.

The entire workshop was a part of the Project Ujjwal launched by UKAid to improve reproductive, maternal and newborn health in the developing world.

For the participants, it was not only a learning process but also an opportunity to hone their acting skills. “I got to learn on family planning that is necessary for us to know. I also got expert views on how to present oneself on the stage,” said a participant.