New Delhi, Mar 10 (UNI) Vaulting from the streets to the big stage, a bunch of former ragpickers, beggars and probable pickpockets are set to put on the greasepaint to plead against violence and war.

The highbrow haunt India International Centre (IIC) will witness the unusual event tomorrow evening when 15 girls and boys reformed at the Salaam Baalak Trust, stage the dance drama: ''War of Kalinga - A Story of Ashoka''.

Avinash Yadav, a 21-year-old artist trained by the trust, will choreograph the performance, trust spokesperson A K Tiwari said.

The dance tells the story of how Emperor Ashoka shunned war and became an ambassador of peace and non-violence. The event is part of the 17th annual year celebrations of the trust.

The Salaam Balak Trust was set up an year after Mira Nair made 'Salaam Bombay', a touching and award winning film on street life in the metropolis.

From 25 children and three staff, the NGO has grown and reaches out to nearly 4,000 children in Delhi alone through four hostels, 4 day-care contact centres and 1098 emergency helplines for children in distress, Mr Tiwari said.

The trust also runs programmes for street children in Bombay and Bhubaneshwar.

UNI VN SHB HS1423