Fully packed hall of Multan arts council for consecutive three days accommodated farmers, small traders, teachers, students, lawyers, political workers, and NGO activists. The 6th theatre of the oppressed festival proves a platform for citizens to debate and analyse the issues and define their own political agenda. Its objective is to form a robust and vibrant civil society in Pakistan that effectively engages with the state, organisers said.
Three days activities brought a positive need and urge for change among the people who were echoing that democratic institutions are functioning, but people's participation in them was yet to be a question.
Major goal of Interactive Resource Center in organising festival was to create a peaceful, democratic and just society in collaboration with government, civil society organisations and media through, interactive communications, supporting and linkages with like-minded people's organisations in Pakistan.
The organisers of 6th theatre of the oppressed festival were believed that all humans are equal and deserve fundamental freedoms; all cultures are equal and deserve respect; without influencing mainstream change transformation is not possible. The stigmas and social taboos can be challenged through dialogue and communication; attitude and behavioural change is possible through critical dialogue; power of art and knowledge can be medium of change/ transformation.
They were of the view that media was a powerful tool to reach out to majority while new opportunities were being opened for generating and documenting human rights issues for mainstream media.
"This form of theatre converts the spectator into a spec-actor," explains Mohammad Waseem of the Interactive Resource Center. On the first day of the oppressed festival, theatre highlighted issues of women rights and Mundawa group, Murk group and Multan group performed displaying the plight of women rights.
On the second day theatre was produced on education, peace and environment. The IRC's Multan group, Indus group and Chanan group performed excellent performance to cover the topics and highlighting lacunas in policy making. The third day was particularly allocated for workers/labour rights and Hamida theatre group, Parbhat group and Multan group performed.
The IRC has already shoot numbers of documentary films highlighting the mission and vision which include "Hyderabad mein larki Multan mein larka", developed by Multan media Group headed by Athar Jahanian. This documentary is based on a girl who runs a PCO in Multan. Her name is Nida but she is known as Pasha Ali in her circle. She is a girl but spent her life like a boy. She comes to Multan for earning and support their family. She sent the money to her mother, who lives in Hyderabad.
Her mother also worked there for up-bringing their children. Murk media group headed by Zulfiqar Memon develops the second film "Aik sarak meray gaoon tuk". This film is based on the woman, whose name is Zaib-un-Nisa. She starts her work as a social worker. After marriage her husband and her family support her and than asked her for becoming a politician.
She worked in her village, as well as built road, school for girls and women. The third film, Kook theatre group headed by Nasir Hussain Shah develops "Kamal pur ki kahani". This documentary is based on cement factory. It is a strong of environmental pollution caused by a cement factory in kamal pur and how it is affecting the lives of common man there.
The fourth film developed by Parbhat Media Group headed by Matti, "Haji Gota key Fakiro ki Mortian". The film is about a local artist of Haji Gota called Fakiro. He with no formal training works in sculptures with images that look like living images.
The fifth film titled, "Jab Multan Jal Raha tha" is about Shah Sham, a saint who enlightened people about Islam in Southern Punjab region. His shrine is in Multan. The sixth film titled, "Geeli Mati Aur" is story of local artisan who mould clay to form pots. The film covers the process and their views.