Stimulating Social change Through Street Theatre

Communities and individuals have utilized a wide range of traditional media for social purposes as a support to local development schemes for health and family welfare campaigns. When modern media have penetrated isolated areas, the older forms maintain their validity, particularly when used to influence attitudes, instigate action and promote change. There will be no argument towards the fact that modern media covers mass audience in a shorter time span. But its credibility in instigating action is a researchable issue. Traditional media for development must undergo changes in specific dimensions to address specific needs of people. Street Theatre is one such tool, leads all traditional media forms in mobilizing the people. This paper intended to address how the street play can be effectively used for social change and developmental action. Theatre for development (TfD) must encompass the following: a drama or comedy, mime and participatory or improvisational techniques. Literally, it means the transformation of street theatre from dialogical form to more interactive form. Emphasising on the principle of Socio, Economic, Political and Cultural change, with an involvement of all stakeholders of development, street theatre can bring desirable changes in collectivism favouring Indian agriculture.