Bridging the gap
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Umang’s “Swadhinta Sangram” is one of the best plays for children and teachers. ROMESH CHANDER
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For the last 28 years, Umang, a children’s theatre group in Delhi, has been trying to bridge the gulf between children of economically better off families and those from disadvantaged background through neighourhood theatre. How children from t
otally different socio-economic backgrounds mingle and interact with each other need not only to be seen but experienced to be believed. All Umang’s presentations have a social and moral subtext.
This year, to commemorate 150 years of the first War of Indian Independence, Umang presented “Swadhinta Sangram”, with a cast of more than 100 children of different age groups. The entire presentation was in the form of snapshots of events carried forward by four young actors who played with immense confidence. The opening scene had the atmosphere of the Royal Court and the audience immensely enjoyed the dance choreographed by Poonam Verma. The atmosphere was disturbed by the entry of two Englishmen who offer to help the king in his ongoing differences with his rivals. “We don’t want any outside help,” says the king and as they are asked to leave, the Englishmen along with their stooges pick up all that they could grab from the vendors outside. The opening scenes were indeed very good and set the pace as it were, for what was to follow.
Independence movement
The presentation has about 18 short scenes that introduce the history of Independence movement to the young audience starting with the British trying to win over the locals and playing different sections of people against each other while destroying our economy. Side by side “Swadhinta Sangram” introduces the young audience to Jhansi Ki Rani, the revolt of the people, Mangal Pandey, etc., and then going on to early days of the national movement. Then follows the introduction of leaders like Bal Gangandhar Tilak, Vipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai and others.In spite of some major omissions “Swadhinta Sangram” was one of Umang’s best presentations. The director, Rekha Jain has been working with children of not only mixed age groups but also different socio-economic backgrounds. To get them not only to work together but also to bring a change in their way of thinking is a big challenge for a director of Children’s Theatre. Then again, Rekha usually handles a large cast, as in this presentation and not even once did anyone block or bump into another actor. Rekha has won the Sangeet Natak Award for her overall contribution to Performing Arts.
She has an excellent team of workers. Harish Verma, the associate director, has been with Umang from its early days and along with 15-16 other theatre workers forms the backbone of children’s theatre in Delhi. Then there is Poonam Verma the choreographer who composed some delightful solo and group dances spread over the presentation that brought delight to the audience, young and old and of course there is Chitranjan Tripathi’s music that always enriches the production.
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