It is often said art has the power to bring change — and children-led activism seen across India’s villages, towns, and cities, is a strong testament to that. Children from Bal Panchayats (child councils), supported by SOS Children’s Villages India, a non-profit organization, are taking to the streets with ‘nukkad nataks’ (street plays) that highlight urgent social issues, support child development, and call upon communities to take action.
These performances are part of the organisation’s Family Strengthening Programme (FSP), which supports children and families in vulnerable situations. Since the 1990s, children under FSP have been performing short skits on social issues in the communities where they reside. From 2010 onwards, these plays became a central aspect of the programme.
“These plays are more than performances—they are platforms for participation,” said Sumanta Kar, CEO of SOS Children’s Villages India. “Children between 10 to 17 years take the lead–from scripting and rehearsals to staging. Children speak for children, and this peer-to-peer approach has been designed for their holistic development.”
The plays focus on eight key themes: child rights and protection, education for all, health and hygiene, prevention of child marriage and child labour, gender equality, climate change, and domestic violence or substance abuse. Each theme is selected by the children themselves, supported by orientation and training from the FSP team.
What makes these plays especially powerful is their real-world impact. Community mobilisers and group leaders inform local residents through announcements and door-to-door visits, typically drawing 100–150 people to each play. These performances have led to tangible action on contextual issues by local ward and panchayat representatives–such as building roads or cleaning waterlogged drains.
“Our vision is to build communities where children feel heard, valued, and empowered and these plays are living proof that when given the opportunity, children can spark dialogue and foster social change at the grassroots level.” Kar added.
The initiative not only empowers children by building their confidence and communication skills, but also educates and sensitises the public—advancing SOS India’s broader mission of holistic child development and societal change.