In the bustling foyer of the National Science Centre, Delhi, the air was charged with anticipation as Yatharth, a spirited student theatre group of Shivaji College, Delhi University, took the stage to perform their street play, Superbugs Benaqaab or Unmasking Superbugs. The performance, held on 24 November 2024, during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW 2024), turned a pressing global health threat—Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)—into a relatable, vibrant, and deeply impactful story.
Street theatre, with its raw energy and direct connection to audiences, is a powerful tool for education and engagement. Using humour, drama, and music, the young actors drew from their own lived experiences and realities, creating scenes that reflected the everyday behaviours driving AMR. Whether it was indulging in street food without regard for hygiene, ignoring a friend’s cautionary advice on medicine misuse, or casually popping antibiotics without prescriptions, the characters brought to life the small yet significant choices that fuel the rise of ‘superbugs’.
The play was more than just a performance; it was a mirror held up to society. The menacing superbugs—embodied by actors with striking horns and dramatic dialogues—mocked human carelessness, declaring how misuse of antibiotics was making them stronger. These pathogens danced to their own anthem, singing of chaos and unchecked growth—a chilling yet much-needed depiction of the dangers of AMR.
What made Unmasking Superbugs truly stand out was its authenticity. The students drew from their own lives to interpret how AMR impacts individuals, families, and communities. The conversations were real, the dilemmas relatable, and the humour disarming. The audience could see themselves in Rohan, the carefree student dismissing warnings, in his concerned parents, and in the pharmacist handing out antibiotics without a prescription. But they also found hope in the transformative journey of these characters, as they came to understand the critical importance of infection prevention through proper hygiene practices, responsible behaviours, and the guidance of healthcare professionals.
In developing the play, the actors themselves reflected on how little they had known about AMR before the process and how creating the performance deepened their understanding of the issue. For them, the play wasn’t just an act of educating others – it was also a personal journey of learning and advocacy.
Performed in Hindi and using popular references, the play resonated deeply, crossing barriers of language, culture, and education to deliver its message to a diverse audience. It left a lasting impression: that the fight against AMR begins with awareness and small, conscious changes in daily life. By the end of the performance, the performers as well as the audience shared their own stories of antibiotic misuse and pledged to adopt healthier practices.
With Unmasking Superbugs, Yatharth demonstrated how street theatre, rooted in lived realities and driven by passion, can transform complex global health issues into accessible, compelling, and actionable narratives. It wasn’t just a play—it was a call to action, reminding us all of the collective responsibility we share in safeguarding our future from the threat of AMR.
The group plans to perform at other venues in the near future. If you’d like to host Yatharth and help spread awareness about AMR, they can be contacted through SaS (sasindia2018@gmail.com).