Nationality Indian Organization Sakshi | Years active 1998–present | |
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Born 2 August 1964 (age 52) ( 1964-08-02 ) Bhilai, Chhattisgarh India Occupation Social activist, theatre director Books Optimal Structural Design of a Morphing Aircraft Wing | ||
Smita bharti 45 speaks about her character in 45 35 55
Smita Bharti is an Indian social activist, writer and director. She has worked on over 20 plays with communities spanning social, class and age strata. Through research, training, workshops, performances, campaigns and publications, she works extensively and intensively with women and adolescents in difficult and challenging circumstances, in prisons with victims under trial, with survivors in situations of domestic violence, sexual abuse and incest, physically and mentally challenged individuals. She also works with the policy and decision makers who have the potential of making systemic change in the country.
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Early life and education
Bharti was born in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh in 1964 to Nirmal and Agya Ram Kshetrapal. She did her schooling at Auckland School Shimla and moved to Delhi in 1982 where she received her bachelor's degree in Literature and Psychology from University of Delhi in 1985. She received her Master of Arts degree in Literature from the Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu in 1987. Bharti's life took a turn when she realised that the domestic violence she had suffered after her marriage wasn't her identity, that she had to transcend the barriers and scars to go beyond the personal. In 1995, she embarked on a journey towards a better life as a single parent of two.
Career
Since 2004, Smita has directed over 20 plays, worked on films, video installations, interactive exhibitions and audio books She has been a programme consultant to Sanskriti Museums and The Asian Heritage Foundation.
In 2005, she founded the Hungry Heart Festival at the India Habitat Centre to explore contemporary lifestyles and personal relationships through theatre.
Some of her plays are As the Sun Sets, Walk Once More, 45”35”55”, Single Mingle, Rubaru: Raj Kapoor in Russia, Rooh ka Ghar, The Most Important Question, Blind Date, Nun and the prostitute, Jailbrds, Miss Blossom Callahan Patialewalli. In 2013, she wrote and directed Jug Jug Jiyo which went on to win a national award.
Activism
In 1993, Bharti started working for Sakshi an NGO co-founded by Naina Kapur and Jasjit Purewal where she worked with women who had been through domestic violence and sexual abuse. She began working on altering systemic responses to inequality through creative interventions that focus on behavioural change. She officially joined Sakshi in 2004 and went on to head the organisation from 2007 till 2015. During this time, she has spearheaded several social campaigns.
Taare Jab Utare Zameen Par held in 2016 was a social arts campaign for behaviour change with street connected children from difficult circumstances. In association with Plan International and its 8 NGO partners. Steer to Safety was a campaign for traffic safety in association with 200 schools, Delhi Traffic Police, PVR Nest, and 10 NGOs. NaNa was a campaign through theatre in schools and colleges to speak up against Child Sexual Abuse. Is it Hurting or Flirting? was aimed at raising awareness and speaking up against sexual harassment in the workplace enabling complainants to speak up without fear of shame, stigma and backlash.
Memberships
In 2013, Smita was appointed a member of the Central Advisory Committee of the Government of India on combating of trafficking of women and children for commercial sexual exploitation. Other than that, she is also a Rotary Peace Fellow, Fellow of the KK Birla Foundation and Special Fellow of WISCOMP.
Awards
In 2013, Smita won the Laadli National Media Award for her play. Following which in 2016, she received the Karmaveer Puraskaar for social change and the Woman of the Elements Chakra.