Theatre effective tool for change: Etherton

Michael Etherton, presently the Head of the Save the Children UK Regional Office is a key player in promoting the concept of Theatre for Development in Nepal. He has specialized in African Theatre and authored a book ‘The Development of African Drama’, 1983. He has taught theatre in University of Zambia, Zambia and Nigeria. He has lectured in theatre most of his working life in universities in Africa and the UK and has been involved in development for last 13years.

Michael Etherton talks to Utpal Raj Misra about Theatre for Development (TfD) and its state in South Asia. Excerpts:

TKP- How did the concept of TfD came into existence and how did it start in South Asia?

Etherton - In Africa while working in both Zambia and in Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria in the late 60s and in the 70s we were part of the international movement around the popular theatre. Popular Theatre was what the Theatre for development was called then. Popular Theatre was a theatre that mobilized the communities for social change. One of the notable figures in the popular theatre then was Augusto Bowal who wrote a book called "Theatre of the Oppressed" and this became very much an occult book and the work that he was developing has played into Theatre for Development now.

It was in some instances a protest theatre but in many instance a theatre of community engagement. And its strength was that it did not come with a preset notion as to what the play should be about. The community suggested the plays the community problems were the focus of the drama and not just depicting those problems but also trying to get to appoint where the community would do something about the problem. So it was very much a theatre of community empowerment.

TKP- How was the experience introducing the concept in South Asia?

Etherton - We did not actually introduce the concept in South Asia. The interesting thing about this popular theatre was that the South Asians were doing it without realizing that the Africans, Latin Americans and people from the other parts of the world were doing it. It is very much a home-grown thing.

The concept consequently developed in the South Asia into the political theatre and it is a short step from being an ideological political theatre to becoming a theatre for political parties. What happened in Asia was that the performance became very good but actually it was a pre-determined content not something that evolved from the community.

TKP- What is the present state of TfD in Nepal?

Etherton - There is wider movement going on in Nepal than in other South Asian countries. It is linked into a wider movement where very poor children are saying that we have rights to participate and express ourselves and we must use this right otherwise if we rely on adults nothing will ever get better for children as poor as us.

There are many organizations and groups working for the children here in Nepal. Actually this is a tool for that work of children who are saying let’s decide for ourselves, let’s not get into the aid dependency syndrome of our adults who won’t do anything they get money from the donors, let’s see what we can do for ourselves.

TKP- What are the challenges that the children (on whom the TfD programme is mainly directed in Nepal) are facing in the process of identifying their problems?

Etherton- The children are facing a major challenge and this challenge is summed up in the word representation. Very often an adult INGO or NGO or a UN body says we want some children to participate and some children are selected to participate. But who those children represent? The whole issue of representation is really complex. You can’t just have a group of children representing because different groups may have different demands and probably the high caste children will dominate the other children and most probably the boys will dominate the girls. So the challenge is how do they sort out who has the most pressing needs and they have to sort it out themselves. So how do they work it out? And the great thing is they want to work it out, around the groups of children they want to bring out their most genuine needs of the most disadvantaged.

TKP- What could the other development programs learn from TfD?

Etherton- There is quite a lot of Street theatre going on in Nepal and I think it would be excellent if it were to be a little bit more independent of outside donors. If it was more at the disposal of the disadvantaged community rather than the donors which generally want some messages conveyed.

If you are actually going to do theatre a preachy theatre is less effective than the theatre, which engages with the community. Street theatre ultimately is a part of process of telling the poor and the disadvantaged people what is good for them rather than the poor and the disadvantaged finding out their key problem. That’s where street theatre could learn from TfD.

Exemplary voluntary contribution of locals in Pabati

By Ishwori Neupane

PABATI (Dolakha), Feb 25 - With the blowing of trumpet in the hills in the morning, Krishna Prasad Acharya, 80, leaves home with a spade in his hand, along with his grandson to contribute voluntary labour for road construction.

It is not only adults, who are working in the road project, but also elderly men and women. Instead of hoping that the government would carry out the development activities in their village, about 500 locals are vying with each other to build the road in their village.

The government has been unable to successfully finish development works in different parts of the country in the absence of people willing to contribute voluntary labour. The crowd of people in Pabati village willingly extending their voluntary labour has proved to be an excellent example of their enthusiasm for development works.

The agricultural road under construction is Tamakoshi-Nayapul-Phasku-Pabati sector of Jiri-Kathmandu route. It has been divided into different sections and entrusted to all the nine wards of Pabati VDC for its completion.

According to chairman of the VDC, Dinesh Prasad Shivakoti, one kilometre road will be completed in 10 days before proceeding any further.

Last year, the local people constructed 800 metres of road including the rock-breaking works. The success of the work has made the locals more enthusiast.

The government has earmarked Rs 800,000 for this road this year. Could be the zeal of the people that impressed the government.

According to the overseer in the DDC, Bishnu Kafle, survey works have been completed recently.

"The participation of local people in road construction in Pabati has brought a new wave of voluntary labour in the district. If people continue to work in this way, no village would remain underdeveloped," DDC president Lal Kumar KC said at a function organised to encourage local people.

At the same function, MP Pashupati Chaulagain said people of all political faith have been mobilized in this work setting aside their political differences.

Pabati is well-known for producing different fruits, such as orange, junar, pear, banana and lemon. Locals also export different cash crops like ginger and garlic and foodgrains like paddy, maize and millet. Lack of road had hindered the people in exporting their agricultural productions and hence they are working on the road project with tremendous zeal.

The process of building agricultural road in different villages to transport agricultural produces to the market had started in the fiscal year 1997/98.

Children are vulnerable: Pant

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Feb 25 - Minister of State for Children, Women and Social Welfare Kamala Pant said that the children are the most vulnerable section of the society in the country. State Minister Pant was speaking at a symposium on, " Problems seen in Nepal for the implementation of United Nations Convention on Child Rights, real causes of the problems and determination for the eradication of the problems" organised by Pre-Primary School Bal Mandir Project Nepal.

Minister of State Pant further said that the security of child, by birth, falls under government’s responsibility in developed countries and people there feel it as their responsibility to co-operate with the government. But, we are yet to develop such practices here.

Speaking at the program Chairman of CWIN Gauri Pradhan said, the last decade has emerged as the most fruitful period of achievement on Child Rights. "Out of the 196 members of the United Nations, 195 countries have been signatories to the UN convention on Child Rights." Pradhan added. Talking about new concept of child development, Pradhan said, that the "compulsory child education" for children upto eight years, divided in two phases, was being developed.

Pradhan also pointed out the lack of awareness, appropriate perception to children and juvenile justice as shortcomings to effective implementation of Child Rights programs.

Durga Ghimere, Chairman of ABC Nepal, speaking at the gathering disclosed that about two million girls are trafficked all over the world every year. She further said that women sold by close relatives generally don’t disclose the fact. Prachanda Pradhan, speaking on behalf of Nepal Children’s Organisation said Child Rights is global and natural and they should be guaranteed.

Responding to a query about the relationship of child labour and poverty CWIN chairman Pradhan said "Whether poverty causes child labour or child labour causes poverty is emerging as a fresh debate at international level."

Chairman and co-ordinator of the program, Nirbikash Shrestha suggested reformative measures rather than retributive ones for the solution of child related problems. Certificates were handed over to the participants of Nursery teachers training during the program.

Archaeological site discovered

Post Report

DHARAN, Feb 25 - Ancient stone-carved images of archaeological significance have been discovered along the Khukaila river in a forest in the Patlepani village of southern Bhojpur. The images, which were the attraction of the local shepherds in the vast pastureland, were brought into the limelight last year by Shivahang Rai.

The local people believe that the discovery of such religious relics has rendered the area a suitable site for research. They are disappointed, though, that few people in Bhojpur are aware of the discovery, and concerned authorities are apathetic on pursuing research.

"The stone images seem to be have been made thousands of years earlier," says Mitraraj Rang Abhung Rai, resident of the nearby Sidrang VDC, who has been to the site of the newly found carvings.

The images carved in the marble-like white stones include the carvings of the tortoise, Buddhist stupas, the moon, Hanuman, the cow, elephant, conches and bells, among others. A big spherical boulder with a hole in the centre has also been found in the site.

The southern belt of Bhojpur, which is believed to be the ethnic land of the Kirati people, holds a rich cultural and religious significance for the Kirati Rais. Worshippers of Nature as their god, the Rais have at least eight holy Sakela Sakewas in the villages of Khairang, Patlepani, Sidrang and Devantar, all in the southern part of the distrrict.

‘Hand over Prasuti Griha to Paropakar Sanstha’

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Feb 25 - Eldest son of late veteran social worker Dayabir Singh Kansakar,today said that the government should hand over Maternity Hospital back to the Paropakar Sanstha, which was established by late Kansakar.

At a programme organised to pay tribute to late Kansakar, his son Hitkar Bir Singh Kansakar, who is a principal and a literatteur said, "the hospital was better when Paropakar Sanstha was running the hospital." According to him, after the government took over the hospital, the condition has deteriorated. He requested the government to hand over the hospital to Paropakar Sanstha.

According to him, the "Prasuti Griha", was taken away by the Government in mid 1989 when Sushila Thapa was the Minister for Health.

Late Kansakar, who made a significant contribution in the field of social work established the Paropakar Sanstha during Rana regime to work for public welfare passed away at the age of 90 three weeks back. He was suffering from paralysis and was being treated for respiratory problem.

Speaking at the programme State Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Kamala Panta said that the government will take all necessary steps to get this issue in the Parliament. Se also said that everybody should follow the path shown by late Kansakar in a spirit of selflessness.

"Even at the time of autocratic Rana regime, he managed to establish such organization, which was indeed a bold step," said Bimalendra Nidhi, CWC member of Nepali Congress.

Veteran social worker and freedom fighter, Daya Bir Singh Kansakar was paid tribute at the programme held here today.

Also present at the programme were Keshar Jung Rayamajhi, Prayag Raj Singh Suwal, current President of Paropakar Sanstha.