Remembering Safdar Hashmi: The man behind India’s street theatre movement

Safdar Hashmi started a theatre in college with the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) and founded Janam in 1973.

Safdar Hashmi started theatre in college with the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) and founded Janam in 1973. He revolutionised Indian theatre by taking up issues through street plays. (Photo | Shahmat) 

Safdar Hashmi, also Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader deconstructed the 'elite' image associated with art by taking it to the crowd and providing a cultural experience of the working class.(Photo | Indian Theatre Forum)

Jana Natya Manch, popularly known as Janam has performed over 8,000 shows at nearly 100 streets and prosceniums.(Photo | Facebook)

Safdar Hashmi was beaten up by the goons while performing a street play in Uttar Pradesh. He succumbed to his injuries and died on 2nd January. After 48 hours of his death, Janam went back to the same spot and resumed the play.(Photo | Shahmat)

When the attack took place, he was performing Halla Bol, a play on worker’s rights and one of his most popular street plays. Thousands gathered on the streets to pay homage to Safdar Hashmi’s by joining in his 10-mile-long funeral procession. (Photo | Janam)

A still from the the first performance of 'Machine', October 15, 1978 . (Photo | Janam)

Moloyashree Hashmi in 'Aurat'(1979), a play against patriarchy. (Photo | Janam)

Safdar Hashmi's birthday is celebrated as National Street Theatre Day across the country to acknowledge his contributions to the art. (Photo | Janam)