On account of 4th February, World Cancer Day, “Art against Tobacco, Showcase 2010” a theatre, art and music based awareness programme against tobacco staged at the Sri Shanmukhananda Hall in Sion.

This unique event empowers children to wage war against tobacco with unique weapons of art, theatre and music. The event presented the best theatre, songs and poster works created by BMC and Govt.-aided schools children themselves. These children, who call themselves the soldiers of the Super Army are a 55000 strong force committed to spread awareness against tobacco among their peers and in their community.

The main attraction of the event was the launch of the new school campaign of ‘Shaan’ – “Wohi jeete hain Izzat aur Shaan se, jo door rahien cigarette, tambaku, paan se” where Bollywood singer Shaan urged the kids to live a clean life free of substance abuse. Drawing upon a parallel from the popular movie 3-idiots, Shaan talked about how all can be well if one doesn’t take up tobacco and other addictions in life. He spread the message of living a healthy and successful life free from addiction. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi also joined their voices through specially recorded messages on living tobacco free lives full of dreams and passions.

Speaking at the occasion Mr Ram Barot, Chairman, Education Committee said, “I am extremely delighted watching the future of India taking up such a huge task upon them to ensure we all live in a tobacco free city.”

Beginning with the national anthem sung by the young soldiers of Salaam Bombay Music Academy, children put up their first act ‘Ganesh Vandana’ created by the Salaam Bombay Dance Academy. This was followed by eight songs and six plays staged by the children in the competitive category. The programme ended with awards given to the children to felicitate their efforts and encourage them.

A play called ‘Adarsh Gaon’, one of last year’s special entries at SHOWCASE has been made into a film by famous theatre and TV artist Ms Meena Naik and now is used as a teaching tool in Rural Workshops.

The event was attended by well known Television and theatre artist Rahaman Khan, who has been a key character in Chinchpokli to China, Laughter challenge 3 and Comedy circus among others. He has been a key factor in starting one of the most powerful shows on tobacco for Theatre Against Tobacco, a 30 minute slapstick comedy that has completed more than 1500 shows across schools.