Started as a movement in 2004, 'cathaa' stands for 'community awareness with theatre and arts' and the movement was envisioned as a journey of theatre and the arts for creating awareness and increasing community consciousness. The passion for theatre and the lack of opportunity for young people came together to generate the idea of working at the grassroots through the arts. cathaayatra aims to explore the possibilities of theatre for awareness and change. To give it a different approach and scale, cathaayatra involves young people from rural and semi-urban areas to create awareness amongst them and in their immediate vicinity on a regular basis.
The idea is to work on two levels:
1. We, as the initiators, move from place to place training, performing and producing plays as well as other forms of art for social consciousness. In each place we create a group of trained and motivated young people.
2. Awareness starts at home so these young people use theatre and arts as a medium to educate their communities and peer groups. They also nurture local talent and integrate more people, thus creating opportunities for community development.
This movement aims to create parallel networks where the awareness campaign would typically be taking place in a number of communities simultaneously. Therefore, at one point in time, cathaayatra aims at reaching a large number of people in an innovative, interactive and interesting manner. It is different in that it is not authoritative and academic. Instead of talking down to people, we connect with them through stories from their own lives.
We are now truly transforming it into a movement that links theatre and other arts with development in a manner that is not preachy and top-down but is innovative and inclusive and loads of fun all the while!!!
The idea is to work on two levels:
1. We, as the initiators, move from place to place training, performing and producing plays as well as other forms of art for social consciousness. In each place we create a group of trained and motivated young people.
2. Awareness starts at home so these young people use theatre and arts as a medium to educate their communities and peer groups. They also nurture local talent and integrate more people, thus creating opportunities for community development.
This movement aims to create parallel networks where the awareness campaign would typically be taking place in a number of communities simultaneously. Therefore, at one point in time, cathaayatra aims at reaching a large number of people in an innovative, interactive and interesting manner. It is different in that it is not authoritative and academic. Instead of talking down to people, we connect with them through stories from their own lives.
We are now truly transforming it into a movement that links theatre and other arts with development in a manner that is not preachy and top-down but is innovative and inclusive and loads of fun all the while!!!
In the beginning ..... was the humble beginning
We started small, with our own sweat, tears and money. Like-minded friends joined in and we started getting tiny (not even small) funding. Most of our work was supported by pure goodness, encouragement and the fabulous spirit of volunteerism.
magnet theatre caravan
60 days. 120 villages. 120 plays. one mission.
For the British High Commission against illegal immigration
Happy Singh & Lucky Singh ...creating a legacy in Punjab
60 days. 120 villages. 120 plays. one mission.
For the British High Commission against illegal immigration
Happy Singh & Lucky Singh ...creating a legacy in Punjab
