This wasn't on my bucket list. So I think it was my alterego who signed up me, and pushed me to go for the theatre workshop. I don't think if I were in my right mind I would voluntarily sign up to be in the midst of new people, and offer myself on the platter - be willing to perform on stage that is.
But a year on, and I thank her countless times, sometimes on the same day. Under the aegis of Bangalore's Little Theatre, Vijay Padaki runs the Summer Project on Theatre or SPOT. Last year was SPOT's thirtieth year, and I found myself in the midst of an eclectic bunch of, well, almost 30 of us. Thereafter, 12 Sundays were spent with this bunch, mostly, 'play-ing' as it were. That's what we learnt on the first day, to let go, and have a good time. That's what theatre, and 'play' is all about. Well, almost.
And that's exactly what we did. Imagining sticks to be oars and badminton rackets. Conjuring kaleidoscopes, and shoes out of the air. Sharing imaginary presents. Transforming ourselves into machinery. Doing splits, or at least attempting to. Dragging each other by the collar, or letting our partners drag us by ours. Assuming heights of anger and power, and then letting go... At times reading without pause, or pausing in the middle of a statement. Or changing rhyme without any rhyme. Trekking deep forests. Experiencing fear and joy after years of imprisonment. Dragging ourselves on war territories. Singing, and shrieking for no good reason. And then free falling, trusting our fellow SPOTters would not let us down. Walking around the city, literally, blindfolded, taking the bus, eating corn cobs and narial paani, crossing trafficked roads, and guiding each other through a maze. The days were packed. They were really a garb for keeping physically fit, exercising our vocal chords and our imagination. And without our realising, all the 'fun and games' transformed us into new people.
Entirely new people. Ones who took to the stage like fish to water.
Then we took on roles. Read. Re-read. Recall. Drop the script. Watch your step. Fall down. Stand up. Shriek. Dance. Sing. All in coordination. It took hours and hours of toil, before we made it to the stage, and performed five of Moliere's brilliant works for the audiences of Bangalore and Mysore. It did come with its share of glitches, and patchwork and flutter-bys in the tummy and excitement about props and costumes. But we managed just fine. Each show. And I can say with some hint of confidence, we were well received.
More than anything though, all the 'play' at the Theatre Workshop underscored my belief in the power of imagination. Imagination is the key tool for problem solving. Not logic, or math, which undeniably are in their limited capacity. But in the face of the problems, at home, at school, with people in positions of power wrecking havoc on the planet and its people, its the collective power of imagination, which is key to problem solving. It allows you to walk in the shoes of others, and experience their world, through their eyes. Prisoners of war. Women. Those who cannot see the world like we can, or hear the beautiful sounds of this planet, or silent shrieks. Those who have lost their sanity and peace of mind. Those who are at the mercy of people in positions of power, and mighty governments. And whether or not imagination tickles your funny bone, it is one of the most powerful tools to keep alive, and believe me you, theatre is just one way to do that. Something I'd definitely like to keep at.
But a year on, and I thank her countless times, sometimes on the same day. Under the aegis of Bangalore's Little Theatre, Vijay Padaki runs the Summer Project on Theatre or SPOT. Last year was SPOT's thirtieth year, and I found myself in the midst of an eclectic bunch of, well, almost 30 of us. Thereafter, 12 Sundays were spent with this bunch, mostly, 'play-ing' as it were. That's what we learnt on the first day, to let go, and have a good time. That's what theatre, and 'play' is all about. Well, almost.
And that's exactly what we did. Imagining sticks to be oars and badminton rackets. Conjuring kaleidoscopes, and shoes out of the air. Sharing imaginary presents. Transforming ourselves into machinery. Doing splits, or at least attempting to. Dragging each other by the collar, or letting our partners drag us by ours. Assuming heights of anger and power, and then letting go... At times reading without pause, or pausing in the middle of a statement. Or changing rhyme without any rhyme. Trekking deep forests. Experiencing fear and joy after years of imprisonment. Dragging ourselves on war territories. Singing, and shrieking for no good reason. And then free falling, trusting our fellow SPOTters would not let us down. Walking around the city, literally, blindfolded, taking the bus, eating corn cobs and narial paani, crossing trafficked roads, and guiding each other through a maze. The days were packed. They were really a garb for keeping physically fit, exercising our vocal chords and our imagination. And without our realising, all the 'fun and games' transformed us into new people.
Entirely new people. Ones who took to the stage like fish to water.
Then we took on roles. Read. Re-read. Recall. Drop the script. Watch your step. Fall down. Stand up. Shriek. Dance. Sing. All in coordination. It took hours and hours of toil, before we made it to the stage, and performed five of Moliere's brilliant works for the audiences of Bangalore and Mysore. It did come with its share of glitches, and patchwork and flutter-bys in the tummy and excitement about props and costumes. But we managed just fine. Each show. And I can say with some hint of confidence, we were well received.
More than anything though, all the 'play' at the Theatre Workshop underscored my belief in the power of imagination. Imagination is the key tool for problem solving. Not logic, or math, which undeniably are in their limited capacity. But in the face of the problems, at home, at school, with people in positions of power wrecking havoc on the planet and its people, its the collective power of imagination, which is key to problem solving. It allows you to walk in the shoes of others, and experience their world, through their eyes. Prisoners of war. Women. Those who cannot see the world like we can, or hear the beautiful sounds of this planet, or silent shrieks. Those who have lost their sanity and peace of mind. Those who are at the mercy of people in positions of power, and mighty governments. And whether or not imagination tickles your funny bone, it is one of the most powerful tools to keep alive, and believe me you, theatre is just one way to do that. Something I'd definitely like to keep at.
No comments:
Post a Comment