Theater Workshop – 10th to 17th November 2024

An eight-day theater workshop was organized organized by Sanskruti Samvad in collaboration with Buniyaad at Punaruththan, Ahmedabad, from November 10 to 17, 2024. The primary objectives of the workshop were to build an alliance with Sanskruti Samvad, train new volunteers in theater, and develop leadership qualities among the participants through theatrical activities.

The comprehensive eight-day training program included different activities such as:

  1. Theater Exercises: Practical activities to enhance physical, voice and expression.
  2. Basic Acting Tips: Foundational techniques for effective performance.
  3. Script Writing: Insights into crafting, different formats of the scripts.
  4. Play Direction: Guidance on directing theatrical performances.
  5. Understanding Theater’s Role in Society: Exploring how theater can act as a medium for social change.
  6. Forms of Theater: Introduction to different styles and genres of theater.

The workshop was facilitated by Manoj Bhuvaldi and Hozefa Ujjaini, who guided participants throughout the program. Additionally, resource persons Atish Indrekar and Mehul Maitraik conducted specialized sessions, provided valuable inputs on acting and direction. On the last day a small skit was prepared by the participants and performed in front of 20 people, the participants were appreciated through certificate of appreciation.

Participants Profile:

The workshop attracted a diverse group of youth from various religious and geographical backgrounds. A total of 15 participants initially enrolled, with 12 consistently attending and actively participating throughout the eight days. The participants from Bayad taluka has also continuously participated in the training program.

Key Feedback from Participants:
Participants shared the following reflections about their experience:

  1. Acting and Scriptwriting:
    • The basic tips on acting and scriptwriting were taught in a very simple and effective manner, making them easy to grasp.
    • We now feel confident in preparing and performing plays independently.
  2. Networking and Team Building:
    • We bonded well during the workshop and made new friends from different communities and backgrounds.
  3. Community Dining:
    • The idea of bringing tiffins to the workshop was wonderful. Sharing meals allowed us to experience and enjoy diverse food from different communities, increasing a sense of unity.
  4. Skill Enhancement:
    • The sessions on scriptwriting and direction were insightful and practical, helping us understand the basics with ease.
    • Our acting skills improved significantly through the interactive exercises and guidance.

Overall, the workshop succeeded in achieving its objectives by equipping participants with practical theater skills, promoting inter-community harmony, and nurturing leadership potential through a creative and engaging process.

 

Citizennagar Film Festival – 16th to 17th November 2024

A two-day film festival titled “Nagar Ma Ek Nagar: Citizen Nagar” was organized at Citizen Nagar, Ahmedabad, on November 16 and 17, 2024. The event was a collaborative effort by Buniyaad, Drishti, Global Media Makers, and Film Independent.

Citizen Nagar is a locality in Ahmedabad that houses survivors of the 2002 communal violence, residing amidst a larger Muslim ghetto. The festival aimed to shed light on the pressing issues faced by the residents of this area, using films as a medium to foster dialogue and awareness. The event also served as a follow-up to a documentary project by filmmaker Debalina Majumder, focusing on Citizen Nagar, supported by Buniyaad.

Screened Films and Discussions

The festival featured the screening of several films over the two days:

  1. Eeb Allay Ooo
  2. Kayo Kayo Colour
  3. Amdavad Ma Famous
  4. Holy Rights
  5. Superman of Malegaon
  6. Joy Run

Prominent filmmakers, including Farha Khatun, Shahrukh Alam, and Debalina Majumder, were present during the screenings. They engaged in insightful discussions with the audience, delving into the themes of the films and their relevance.

Participation
The festival attracted a diverse audience, including Ph.D. scholars, college and university students, and representatives from various organizations. And the locals including the lot of children.  Around 100 people and more than 60 children on each day participated in the program

Theater Performance: “NaagrikNagar”
As part of the event, Buniyaad presented a 20-minute play titled Naagrik Nagar. Written by Hozefa, the play highlighted critical issues faced by the Citizen Nagar community, such as the challenges of citizenship, the ongoing struggles with the nearby dumping site, and the broader question of “Whose city is this?”

The play was performed by a group of eight volunteers on both days of the festival. The powerful narrative resonated deeply with the audience, emphasizing the lived realities of the Citizen Nagar residents.

Output:

One of the key highlights of the festival was the renewed focus on the area’s unresolved issues, particularly the hazardous garbage mountain located near Citizen Nagar. Kaleem Siddique, one of the original Public Interest Litigation (PIL) initiators on this matter and an organizer of the festival, announced plans to file a new case in the High Court to advocate for the removal of the dumping site from the residential site.

The program was widely appreciated by participants and attendees, including residents, activists, and members of the larger Ahmedabad community. The festival successfully brought attention to the plight of Citizen Nagar and increased a sense of solidarity on the same.

News coverage Link:

https://www.deccanherald.com/india/gujarat/first-film-festival-at-citizen-nagar-2002-riots-refugee-colony-kicks-off-in-ahmedabad-3279596

https://youtu.be/-09AfHSzGj0?si=Yv05uvv41ucg5mC9

Celebrating Constitution Day  – 26th November 2024                 

Buniyaad and Parwaaz organized a Constitution Day celebration at Apollo School, Sarkhej, in the morning with students from Grades 7 to 12, both English and Gujarati medium. More than 350 students participated in the program. The session was facilitated by Hozefa, who provided a simple and engaging explanation of the Constitution, connecting it to daily issues and the rights of people, particularly children. The program concluded with a collective reading of the Preamble, followed by a brief explanation of its values. The primary focus was to cultivate a culture of regularly reading the Preamble in schools and to encourage students to understand the significance of the Constitution.

In the evening, a meeting with women leaders was organized at Juhapura, attended by 30 women. Hozefa shared basic insights about the Constitution along with some interesting facts, linking them to everyday life and the rights guaranteed to citizens. He also emphasized the duties of citizens, highlighting the importance of promoting harmony, developing a scientific temper, fostering humanism, and cultivating a spirit of inquiry and reform as fundamental responsibilities.

Play performance – November 28th 2024

Performance of Naagrik Nagar at the Workshop on Rights-Based Advocacy and Sustainable Development Goals

 

The play Naagrik Nagar was performed during a workshop on rights-based advocacy in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The workshop was jointly organized by JCoR (Justice Coalition of Religious), New York, and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), and took place in Vadodara.

The aim of presenting Naagrik Nagar at the workshop was to demonstrate how advocacy can be effectively carried out through artistic expression, particularly to shed light on critical social issues. The play served as a creative medium to engage participants, fostering a deeper understanding of advocacy as a tool for addressing systemic challenges while promoting sustainable development.

Naagrik Nagar addresses raised the issues of citizenship, injustice due to the presence of a massive garbage dumping site, and the broader theme of inclusivity in urban spaces. The powerful narrative and compelling performances enabled the audience to connect emotionally with these complex issues.

The performance was followed by an interactive discussion, where the performers shared their experiences of conceptualizing and presenting the play. This session provided insights into the challenges and opportunities of using theater as an advocacy tool. Participants appreciated the unique approach, noting how effectively the play communicated the issues.

Feedback from participants:

  • Participants found the issues portrayed in the play is clear and relatable. The artistic medium helped simplify and humanize complex topics.
  • The use of theater as a form of advocacy was lauded for its ability to engage and inspire action.
  • The post-performance discussion enriched participants’ understanding of how artistic expressions can complement traditional advocacy methods.

 

 

 

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