HYDERABAD: With only Rs 1000 each in their pockets, a Hyderabad-based artist and three other artists from other parts of India are planning to travel 10,000 kilometers of India’s land-border line. The agenda of the expedition is to kickstart a discussion — Are borders necessary? or can all countries come under one umbrella?.
Under the theme, “Theatre at Borders,” Akram Feroze and his group would launch a discussion on the need of borders among those living at these border areas. They are expecting like-minded people to join them.
Starting from India-Pakistan border at Kutch in Gujarat, they will travel all the way to India-Bangladesh border, visiting villages along the border and interacting with people through theatre, graffiti, and other art forms. Akram Feroze (26), the artist from the city, would be presenting stories in theatre form. The artist had earlier taken up such trips, including one to Kashmir to deliver relief material during floods last year.
All the artists would hitchhike to the border villages, and stay with people who are willing to provide them with a roof over head. The idea is to have a conversation, get to know the situation there, and weave a story out of it.
The journey which set off on Sunday from the city is expected to span over six months. Replying to a query as to why he got thinking about it, the artist said that countries defend their border by waging war, and if the borders are erased, there will be no wars.
“My journey to Kashmir got me close to people who were affected by war or conflict. Such were the stories that they could breakdown anybody. That got me thinking about border less world,” Akram Feroze told the Express.
He added that the their agenda will be perceived as impractical by majority of the people. The idea might not be practical, but we want start a discussion. “The idea of civilization is to come together, but not to be categorized. We would plan such journeys in future also,” he added.
Like-minded artists from Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi would join the expedition. Graffiti artists and painters would express the stories they collected from villages in their art forms. Also, the group plans to involve local artists in this novel expression and expect local support.