Finding theatre as a means of empowerment for the women under its microenterprise initiatives, the Kudumbasree units in Palakkad district have initiated efforts to float Rangasree, Kerala’s first all-women professional theatre group.
Though the Kudumbasree units in Kollam, Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, and Kannur have their own drama collectives to give a theatre version to the awareness campaigns of the government, this is the first time a professional theatre group is being formed under the initiative.
As a first step, a five-day theatre workshop for 30 select women began at the Natya Sasthra performance training centre at Kadampazhipuram on Monday with theatre activist Narippatta Raju as director.
The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi has offered help to the Kudumbasree district unit to evolve the theatre group.
Once ready, the group will start to give theatre version to various literary works having messages of women empowerment and social transformation.
Other than those taking part in the initial programme, women who performed well in drama competitions in the district will also be roped in. The troupe will also perform street plays to create awareness of issues which the government finds have relevance.
“We are treating the drama troupe as a microenterprise which financially supports its members. It is an intervention in the cultural arena,” said Asmiya Alvi, a Kudumbasree beneficiary.
Kudumbasree district coordinator Seydalavi said the initiative had received positive response from the beneficiaries across the district.
Not an easy task
“Running an all-women professional theatre group is not easy as most members of Kudumbasree face difficulty to stay away from their households at regular intervals. But those who are taking part in the workshop are performing well and hopeful that they can make the project a reality,” Mr. Raju said.
With over 40 lakh members across the State, Kudumbasree feels its network can help get venues for the theatre initiative.