Skit (Dowry system and domestic violence )

Characters:

1. Narrator

2. Aisha (Protagonist, strong-minded)

3. Mr. Sharma (Aisha's Father, auto rickshaw driver)

4. Mrs. Sharma (Aisha's Mother, loving, supportive)

5. Rohan (Aisha's Elder Brother, Teen)

6. Priya (Aisha's Younger Sister, Teen)

7. Neighbour 1 (Uncle Sharma)

8. Neighbour 2 (Aunty Geeta)

9. Neighbour 3 (Uncle Gupta)

10. Neighbour 4 (Aunty Priya)

11. Rajesh (Aisha's Husband, abuser, businessman)

12. Mr. Kumar (Rajesh's Father, businessman)

13. Mrs. Kumar (Rajesh's Mother, housewife, abuser, manipulator)

14. Manisha (Rajesh's Sister, sister-in-law, irritating, moody)

15. Grandma (Rajesh's Grandma, understands & cares for Aisha)

16. Rajesh's Friend 1 (Sameer)

17. Rajesh's Friend 2 (Vikram)

18. Rajesh's Friend 3 (Ankit)

19. Aisha's Teacher (Ms. Gupta)

20. Board Holders (2-3)

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Setting & Props:

Minimalist Stages: Stage left (Sharma's humble home), Stage right (Kumar's opulent
home/living room), Center (neutral space for transitions, street scenes, monologue).

Props: A small table/bench, auto-rickshaw steering wheel cutout (optional), small box
(jewelry), a phone, a few small objects for abuse (e.g., a scarf to symbolize a slap), a
school desk/chair.

Boards: Held by background characters, clearly visible, quickly changed.

The Script:

(Skit opens with soft, hopeful instrumental music. NARRATOR walks to center stage.)

NARRATOR: (Calm, clear voice) In a small corner of our bustling city, lived Aisha. A girl
whose dreams were as vast as the sky, a beacon of hope for her family. Her parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Sharma, though humble, saw a bright future for their daughter, far beyond the
confines of tradition.

(Lights up on SHARMA HOME. MR. SHARMA counts meager money. MRS. SHARMA
stitches. AISHA sits with books, Rohan and Priya around her.)

MR. SHARMA: (Smiling weakly) Aisha, dear , study hard. Your education, that's our real
wealth. You'll make us proud.

MRS. SHARMA: (Affectionately) My daughter will fly high. She's meant for great things.

AISHA: (Looks up, hopeful) I will, Papa, Mamma. I will make all your sacrifices worth it.

(Lights dim on Sharma home. NEIGHBOURS enter center stage, whispering.)

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NEIGHBOUR 1 (Uncle Sharma): Heard Sharmaji's girl is getting proposals. Good thing,
she's educated.

NEIGHBOUR 2 (Aunty Geeta): Education, schmeducation! Who'll marry a girl with so

much ambition? Best get her settled quickly.

NEIGHBOUR 3 (Uncle Gupta): Only a big family can handle such a bright girl. Hope they
find someone rich.

NEIGHBOUR 4 (Aunty Priya): Hmm, but rich families ask for so much... let's see how
Sharmaji manages.

(BOARD HOLDER enters with board: "DREAMS BEYOND DOWRY?")

(Scene shifts slightly. KUMAR FAMILY arrives at Sharma home. They are well-dressed.
Mr. & Mrs. Sharma look nervous but hopeful. Rajesh, Manisha, and Grandma are also
present.)

MR. KUMAR: (Pompous) So, this is your daughter, Aisha. Pretty. We've heard good
things.

MRS. KUMAR: (Sweetly) Our Rajesh is a successful businessman. We believe in

tradition, but we're modern too. No dowry for us, just a good sanskari bahu.

MR. SHARMA: (Relieved, beaming) Such generosity! We are truly blessed.

MRS. SHARMA: We will ensure Aisha makes you proud.

(Lights on Sharma home dim, focus on Narrator for quick transition. Music becomes
slightly ominous.)
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NARRATOR: A promise made, a promise broken. The sweet words of 'no dowry' soon
dissolved into a bitter reality of endless demands.

(BOARD HOLDER enters with board: "A PROMISE BROKEN. GREED'S GRIP.")

(Scene shifts to Sharma home. MR. SHARMA looks stressed, pacing. MRS. SHARMA
worried. Rohan and Priya watch silently.)

MRS. SHARMA: (Whispering) Another demand? A new car for Rajesh? Where will we get
this money, ji?

MR. SHARMA: (Voice breaking) They promised! Just a month before the wedding, they
started. My auto rickshaw earnings... it's not enough.

(MR. SHARMA mimes asking passengers for more fare, getting rude replies.
NEIGHBOURS watch from a distance, shaking heads, gossiping silently.)

MR. SHARMA: (Frustrated) People just mock me! "Sharmaji, trying to loot us for your
daughter's dowry?"

MRS. SHARMA: (Takes off her bangles and necklace, eyes welling up) Take these. My
wedding jewellery. It's all we have left. Our daughter's happiness... her future...

NARRATOR: The wedding happened, but happiness became a distant dream. Aisha
stepped into a home of gilded cages, where every breath was controlled, every mistake
punished.

(BOARD HOLDER enters with the board: "SILENCE IS NOT CONSENT. BRUISES OF
INVISIBLE CHAINS.")
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(Lights up on KUMAR HOME living room. Aisha is cooking, trying to do chores. Mrs.
Kumar, Manisha, Rajesh are present. Grandma sits quietly in a corner, watching with
concern.)

MRS. KUMAR: (Inspecting a dish, disdainfully) This aloo sabzi! Is this what your mother
taught you? My son deserves better!

MANISHA: (Snickering) Didi, she probably spent all her time studying, not cooking. What
a waste of education!

RAJESH: (Entering, sternly) Aisha! My friends are coming. Make sure everything is
perfect. And where's the money for my new watch? My father gave your father enough
time!

AISHA: (Fearfully) Rajesh, Papa... he's trying. We don't have much.

RAJESH: (Raises hand, mimes a slap or push, Aisha recoils) Don't give me excuses! You
better arrange it!

(Rajesh's Friends enter, laughing loudly. Rajesh joins them. Aisha is visibly upset.
Friends smirk at her.)

SAMEER: (To Rajesh) Ha ha, boss, a wife's like a remote control. You gotta press the
right buttons!

VIKRAM: Or use a little force if it doesn't listen! (They all laugh, looking at Aisha).

MANISHA: (To Aisha, scornfully) Go get us some tea! And hurry up, don't just stand
there crying!

(Aisha rushes off, hiding tears. Grandma slowly approaches her.)

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GRANNY: (Softly, sadly) My child... this isn't right. God sees everything.

AISHA: (Whispers) Granny, I can't breathe here.

(Scene shifts slightly. Sharma family visit. Aisha meets them, tries to smile, but keeps
her hands hidden. Mrs. Sharma notices her discomfort.)

MRS. SHARMA: (To Mr. Sharma, subtly) Did you see her hand? She quickly pulled it
away.

MR. SHARMA: (Heavy heart, avoiding eye contact) My daughter... it's all my fault. I
ruined her life.

ROHAN: (Whispers to Priya) Didi looks different. Her eyes are sad.

PRIYA: (Nods solemnly) I miss her laughter.

(Music becomes heavy and somber. Lights dim slightly.)

NARRATOR: The hidden pain, the mounting debts, and the silent suffering of his
daughter weighed heavily on Mr. Sharma. Society's taunts, a father's helplessness...

(BOARD HOLDER enters with the board: "A FATHER'S SACRIFICE. A DAUGHTER'S
SILENCE.")

(MR. SHARMA is seen struggling, clutching his chest. MRS. SHARMA, Rohan, Priya rush
to him in panic. He collapses.)

MRS. SHARMA: (Screams) Honey! Honey!

(Lights fade on Sharma family.)

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(NARRATOR steps forward. Aisha enters, looking utterly broken, hair disheveled, bruises
more visible. She holds a broken piece of a doll or a symbolic item.)

NARRATOR: The news shattered Aisha's world. Her father, the light of her life, gone. She
blamed herself, believing she was the cause of all their sorrow. In her darkest hour, she
sought an end to her pain.

(Aisha walks towards the edge of the stage, looking defeated. MS. GUPTA, her old
teacher, enters and gently stops her.)

MS. GUPTA: Aisha? My child, what are you doing?

AISHA: (Voice hoarse, tearful) Ma'am... It's all my fault. Papa... he died because of me.
This life... I can't.

MS. GUPTA: (Holds her gently) No, Aisha. This is not your fault. The fault lies with those
who demanded, those who abused. Your father would want you to live, to fight.
Remember what you learned? Your strength, your mind, your education? These are your
weapons. Don't let their darkness extinguish your light. Fight for your father's memory.
Fight for yourself.

(Aisha looks at her teacher, then slowly at her own hands, then clenches her fists. A
spark returns to her eyes.)

AISHA: (Quietly, firmly) Fight. I'll will fight and overcome it.

(BOARD HOLDER enters with the board: "HOPE IN THE DARKEST HOUR. EDUCATE TO
EMPOWER.")

(Quick transition. Music becomes empowering and determined. Lights up slightly

brighter. Aisha walks with newfound resolve.)
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NARRATOR: Inspired by her teacher, Aisha decided. No more silence. No more suffering.
This was her battle.

(Scene shifts to KUMAR HOME. The Kumar family is relaxed. Aisha enters, composed
but firm. Grandma looks hopeful.)

MRS. KUMAR: (Annoyed) Look who decided to show her face after her father's funeral!
Where were you?

RAJESH: (Angry) You think you can just leave when you want, Aisha?

AISHA: (Calm, clear voice) No. I was busy preparing. Preparing to break free. (She pulls
out a document or gestures confidently).

MR. KUMAR: What nonsense is this?

AISHA: This "nonsense" is a detailed report. Of every dowry demand, every abuse, every
bruise. My father's death was a consequence of your greed, and I have witnesses.
(Looks at Granny, who nods subtly. Looks at the neighbors, who now look nervous). I
have consulted lawyers. This isn't just my pain anymore. This is a crime. And I will
ensure justice.

MANISHA: (Scoffs) You? What can you do?

AISHA: (Eyes flashing) I can use my voice. My education. The one you mocked. The one
that tells me I have rights. That I don't have to suffer silently. I am leaving. And if a single
hair on my family's head is harmed, or if you dare to threaten me, I will ensure the law
takes its course.

(She turns and walks out, head held high. The Kumars are stunned into silence, fear
creeping onto their faces. Grandma smiles faintly.)

(BOARD HOLDER enters with the board: "HER VOICE, HER STRENGTH. NO MORE
SILENCE.")
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(NARRATOR steps forward. Lights shift to a warmer, brighter tone. Music becomes
uplifting.)

NARRATOR: Aisha disappeared for a year, not to hide, but to heal, to gather strength, and
to pursue her purpose. And then, she returned.

(Lights up on a classroom setting. AISHA, now confident and poised, stands as a

teacher. Her mother, Rohan, and Priya are in the audience, looking proud and tearful.
MS. GUPTA smiles from the side.)

AISHA: (To the audience, powerful and resonant) My journey was difficult. I lost my
father, almost lost myself. But I found my strength in my education, in the belief that
every girl deserves to be empowered, not burdened.

(She gestures to the board holders, who now display the final messages.)

(BOARD HOLDER 1: "EDUCATE A GIRL, EMPOWER A NATION.")

(BOARD HOLDER 2: "BREAK THE CHAINS. BUILD A FUTURE.")

AISHA: (Continuing) Dowry is not a tradition; it's a crime that crushes dreams and
destroys families. Domestic violence is not a private matter; it's a heinous act that must
be exposed and stopped. And education...

(She pauses, looking at the audience, especially Rohan and Priya, then her mother.)

AISHA: ...Education is the light that guides us out of darkness. It's the voice that speaks
for the voiceless. It's the courage that empowers us to say, "No more." Let us educate
our daughters, not just with books, but with resilience, with self-respect, and with the
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knowledge that their worth is immeasurable, far beyond any price tag. Let us build a
future where every girl is free to fly, a sky full of her own stars.

(Aisha bows slightly. MRS. SHARMA, Rohan, and Priya rush to hug her, crying happy
tears. MS. GUPTA beams with pride. Uplifting music swells.)

NARRATOR: Her struggle became her strength. Her pain became her purpose. Aisha,
"The Light Within," now shines for others. Let her story be a beacon for change.

(All characters gather on stage, facing the audience. Final pose of unity and hope.
Lights fade to black with the powerful music.)

Tips for Performance:

Pacing: Keep the scenes moving quickly, especially in the first half. The emotional
impact will come from the raw portrayal.

Dialogue Delivery: Ensure actors deliver lines with appropriate emotion but without
over-dramatizing to fit the 10-minute slot.

Body Language: Crucial for conveying Aisha's transformation, Mr. Sharma's stress, Mrs.
Kumar's manipulation, and Manisha's disdain.

Music: Use background music effectively to set the mood for each scene – hopeful,
ominous, tense, sad, empowering.

Board Holders: Practice smooth and quick transitions with the boards. Make sure the
text is large and clear.

Aisha's Confrontation: This needs to be firm and decisive, showing her intelligence and
strength, not just shouting.