Alarippu began with theatre as its core intervention which expanded into training, education and community work over time. The first one -month long theatre workshop was held in 1984-85 at Mirzapur (U.P.) for participants from about 10 organisations which included SWRC Tilonia, Gram Vikas, Orissa, Action India , Delhi, Banwasi Seva Ashram U.P and others. This was followed by another similar workshop held in 1986-87 for women’s groups from Maharashtra, Delhi ,Gujarat, Karnatka and U.P. An initiative was undertaken from 1995-2000 for strengthening and promoting the talk theatre of Pandvani of M.P, various talk groups of A.P, Tamasha of Maharashtra and Khayal of Rajasthan.