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Chennai Kids Reclaim Voices with "Toxic Tour"
19 Jul
Summary
- Children from Narikurava community explored Chennai's industrial north.
- Puppetry project, Enge Engal Nadhigal, gives children storytelling power.
- Agai - Theatre of Voices champions listening to communities.
On July 18, 2026, fifteen children from the Narikurava community in Pallavaram participated in a "Toxic Tour" of Chennai's industrial areas. Organized by Agai - Theatre of Voices in collaboration with Vettiver Collective and Chennai Climate Action Group, the tour introduced the children to thermal power plants and oil refineries.
This experience is part of Enge Engal Nadhigal, a year-long puppetry production where children are trained as storytellers. Agai - Theatre of Voices, a Gen-Z collective, aims to foster social and environmental justice by prioritizing listening to marginalized communities.
The collective has been working with the children for two months, focusing on building comfort through puppet-making and conversation before encouraging them to share their stories. These narratives will form the basis of the puppetry production over the coming year.
Agai collaborates with various organizations like Vettiver Collective and Chennai Climate Action Group, sharing resources for initiatives such as the "March for Marshlands" rally and a tribal education program in the Nilgiris.
