SHILPEE THEATRE GROUP

ORGANISATION PROFILE

About

Shilpee believes that theatre has to play an active role for the social and political reformation of the nation. It also believes in initiating a social movement through the means of theatre. For that reason Shilpee has been taking part actively in the social and political movements of the past and will continue to do the same in the future through its plays. It uses various forms of theatre to raise the issues and voices of the marginalized and oppressed group of the society. It draws the inspiration for the plot of its plays from the society itself where different forms of injustice are happening. The real life experiences are then dramatized and presented before the members of the society so that they come to know about different forms of malpractices that are being practiced in their society and then make an effort to stop such ill practices.

Shilpee practices the ways to find out the solutions to different social problems and eradicate them from the society. It specially makes conscious effort to effect the youths of the society so that they will make effort to make their society a better living place.

ACHIEVEMENTS

  1. THEATRE WORKS

Seven years into the theatre and Shilpee has been successful in giving the following proscenium plays, street plays and forum theatre plays to the theatre loving audiences:

  1. Proscenium Plays (Stage Plays):

COMA – a political sex:Shilpee's opening play for its Gothale Theatre. Written by Kumar Nagarkoti and directed by Ghimire Yubaraj, the incidents of the play happen inside the mind of a writer who has gone into coma. A colorful play with absurd characters. May 2014

Jesimo Beta Version 2014: Shilpee's play in collaboration with Suchana Chautari about cooperatives taking care of our dreams. December 2013

Mhendomaya: A play about gender based violence and the issues of migration. The play was joint collaboration of Shilpee Theatre Group and Selo Theatre, Kavre with the support from The Asia Foundation. August 2013

Majipa Lakhe - A mythical play based on the love story of Majipa Laakhe (demon) and Balamaicha (a human) by playwright Satya Mohan Joshi. This play was Nepal’s participation in Bratyajon International Theatre Festival 2013, Kolkata. April, 2013

What to do? – A confusion played by the artists from Switzerland and Shilpee. June, 2012

Storytelling:

  1. Naya Sadak ko Geet - A story of a day in the life of a blind beggar and his beautiful wife in Naya Sadak (New Road) written by Ramesh Bikal. May,2012
  2. Prawash –A monologue of an editor of a literary magazine who has to undergo hard times as his deals with advertisers do not materialize. The story is written by Nayan Raj Pandey. May, 2012

Clown Show – A play based on comedy manner showing the failure of life. November, 2011

Ulaar – A Nepalese adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s “The Apple Cart”. It was adapted into the Nepalese context as the political situation of our country resembled the situation depicted in the play March, 2008.

Naya Nepal– This play written by Ghimire Yubaraj, revolves around the second People’s movement which initiated the abolishment of monarchy and establishment of Democratic Republic of Nepal. April 2007

Kathantar – A play written by Jagadish Ghimire that portrays the story of a poor and morally corrupted family where children do not hesitate to tell lies to their own mother and do anything for the sake of earning money. August 2007

Chiriyeka Saanjh haru - A cultural play by Professor Abhi Subedi which is based on the celebration of Bisket Jatra. Bisket Jatra is a festival celebrated with much aplomb in Bhaktapur and it marks the beginning of a new year in Nepal. This play brings the issue of women’s liberation and an individual’s victory over dictatorship and power.

2. Street Theatre:

Tol Safaa Rakhau – A street performance on solid waste management and hygiene. This play was performed in several places of the Kathmandu Valley with the support of World Vision International. August, 2007

Lavnya Desh ko – Shilpee’s attempt to create awareness against HIV/AIDS. This play was a part of the project supported by World Vision International. August, 2007.

Khaam – A ten minute play to say “No to Corruption”. This play was performed in Basantapur as a part of LASANA’s “Say No to Corruption” campaign. December, 2012

Samay ra Hinsha - A musical play as a response to rape, murder and other forms of violence faced by women. This play was later performed in Baluwatar to express our solidarity to “Occupy Baluwatar” movement. December, 2012

3. Forum theatre:

Kaacho Mato:A forum play about the problems, confusions and other problems of the Nepalese youths with the support of UNDP Nepal. October 2013

K Lagyo Halkale – A play about the pains and problems of Women in the Far West Nepal with the support of ESP/UKAid Nepal October,2013

Dahitan Dheki – A play about the culture and its negative side effects on womenfolk of the Tharu community of Western Terai with the support of ESP/UKAid, Nepal May,2013

Biltu Birami Cha – This play revolves around the issues related to the constitution assembly and was performed in Jhapa, Biratnagar, Dang and Janakpur with the support of Asia Foundation. This play was again performed in Martin Chautari, Basantapur Durbar Square and Patan Durbar Square with the support of the President’s Office. August, 2012

Naari - The play is all about the problems faced by Nepalese women. This play was performed in 21 districts of Terai belt in a month long tour which was supported by ESP/UKAid,Nepal in the first phase. The second phase of the tour was supported by HUCODAN and was performed in Rautahat, Sarlahi, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Siraha and Saptari. The same play was also performed in Dhulikhel with the support from Asia Foundation. April 2012

Adhyaaro Birudha – A play related to the issues of federalism and constitution in New Nepal. April 2009

Madhesh Terai– This forum theatre play addressed the issues of regional conflict in Nepal. The play was performed in that time when the ‘Madhesh Aandolan” (Madheshi Movement) was taking its momentum. December, 2007

  1. PUBLICATIONS

Besides doing regular theatre works, Shilpee has also stepped into publication arena and so far published two books, two magazines and a booklet about theatre. We hope to continue with the publication in the future as well.

Published

Gaau ma Rangamanch (Theatre in the Village) (December 2013) (Booklet)

Rangamanch Samichhya ( Theatre Analysis) (July, 2013) ( Book)

Why Theatre? ( March, 2013) ( English Magazine)

Rupaantaran ka lagi Rangamanch (Theatre for Transformation) (July 2008) (Book)

Shilpee Kala Kitaab (Shilpee Art Book) ( June 2012) (Magazine)

Upcoming

Playwright SatyaMohan Joshi’s MajipaLaakhe

A collection of different articles written by Ghimire Yubaraj about theatre

'COMA –a political sex' by Kumar Nagarkoti

WE HAVE WORKED WITH

SN / Organization / Date / Outcomes
1 / UNDP / 2013 / A Forum Play 'Kacho Mato' about the issues faced by Nepalese youths.
2 / Suchana Chautari / 2013 / Performed the play 'Jesimo Beta Version 2014' to spread the news about the importance and relevance of co-operatives in our lives.
3 / Oxfam, Nepal / 2013 / Ten days forum theatre training provided to the members of Oxfam’s local partners at Nepalgunj and Surkhet to make them self-reliant to discuss and find out the solutions of their problems on their own.
4 / HUCODON Rajbiraj / 2012 / Performed the play ‘Naari‘to sensitize the common people and concerned authorities about the status and problems of women in Nepal.
5 / Asia Foundation Nepal / 2012 / A play “Biltu Biraami Chha” to address the issues related to the making of the new constitution.
6 / Helvetas Nepal / 2012 / Conducted forum theatre training to the local artists of the Khotang and Sarlahi districts for their ‘Safer Migration (SaMi)’ project.
7 / ESP Nepal-UK Aid / 2012 / A forum theatre play titled Naari to bring the problems faced by women into open discussion which was performed in 60 venues of 21 Terai districts
8 / Action Aid Nepal / 2011 / A forum theatre play “Adhyaro Biruddha” related to federalism and constitution in the context of a new reformed Nepal.
9 / Shtri Shaktee / 2011 / Street theatre training provided to the participants selected by Shtri Shaktee to enable them to communicate about issues related women in a different and more effective way.
10 / Animal Nepal / 2009 / A performance in Dakshinkali temple during Dashain festitval to raise awareness against the sacrifice/killing of innocent animals.
11 / Nepal Bhakbhake Sangh / 2008 / A performance to create awareness about stammering disease and its treatment.
12 / Action Aid Nepal / 2007 / A forum theatre play titled “Madhesh Terai” to foster the social harmony between Madheshi and Pahade community
13 / World Vision International / 2007 / Two plays titled “Tol Safaa Raakhau” and “Lavanya Desh ko” to inform and motivate the general public to change their risk behaviors about HIV/AIDS and health and Hygiene in the community.
Two training sessions on street drama performance for 30 children.
14 / MS Nepal / 2007 / Ten days forum theatre training provided to the MS Nepal’s partners at Silgadhi, Doti for their capacity building.

LOCAL PARTNERSHIP

Besides working with various NGO/INGO, Shilpee has worked together with few local theatre groupsand other local organizations as well. By collaborating with the local groups already working at the local community level, Shilpee aims to reach greater number of participants spread throughout the nation. Shilpee has the working experience with following local theatre groups and organizations:

  • Mithila Natyakala Parisad, Janakpur
  • Gantabya Theatre Group, Damak
  • Siddhartha Theatre Group, Kapilvastu
  • Kalika Theatre Group, Kapilvastu
  • Shanti ka lagi Yuba Sanjal, Bardiya
  • Narayani Kala Mandir, Narayanghat
  • Radio Kantipur

FESTIVALS PARTICIPATED

  • Participated in theatre workshop and festival organized by Jana Sanskriti Center for Theatre of the Oppressed, Kolkata with the play “Madhesh Terai”.
  • Represented Nepal in Bratyajon Inetrnational Theatre Festival 2013 with “Majipa Laakhe”
  • Participated in National Theatre Festival organized by Mithila Natya Kala Parishad with “Dahitan Dheki” in 2013

ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

AMENITIES

Shilpee isself-reliant and fully equipped with all the facilities and equipments necessary for the productions.