Of course, we generally don’t think of it while enjoying a drama, play or for that matter watching some TV programme.
It is quite natural to have mixed response over it as some would like to disagree whereas some others would strongly advocate for it. A genuine answer comes only when we encounter a life turning experience with the post effect of a drama, play or some TV programme.
My turn to encounter such an experience came in July, 2007. It was one of my normal college days that brought many progressive changes in my thought process and the way of looking at society and things, helping me to question the unquestioned and look beyond what we simply see. Until then I never realized a simple street play could ever be so powerful. Yes, it was a street play.
Having come from a conservative background with stereotypes around, I always believed that dressing sense was one of the major facilitating factors for the rape cases, and therefore women were responsible for all that to a great extent. And that they should also limit their movement to avoid such incidents. However, the street play on the very theme itself shook all my beliefs and opinions that I held so strongly. The street play not only took me out of the grudges of surrounding stereotypes but in the course also prepared the ground for me to be a feminist.
With such magical effect of a street play, the idea of “Social awareness through theatre” strongly appealed to my heart and mind. My journey into a new world with a vision moved its first step when I was selected for the audition to be a part of the collage dramatics society “Anukriti”. The first step paved the path and I started walking the road that I so strongly felt for, leaving my footprints behind. And today I don’t look back but look beyond what I see as I stand as an active member of my international theatre group “Aatish”.
The fields that required interaction with people and conveyed meaningful messages have always been of great interest to me. This may be one of the reasons that Dramatics, music and Social service are part of my hobbies.
During my association with the collage dramatics society, I got the opportunity to participate in various competitions in different institutions all over the country. Different plays carried different themes, highlighted socio-political realities besides raising critical questions on diverse range of issues. Therefore, in true sense, these plays gave me the scope and platform not only to reflect upon various predicaments of the society, but also to engage with ways to change them in the most progressive direction. After every successful play it was not the claps that brought happiness to me, but the thought that the post effect of it would again bring the meaningful turn into someone’s life, just the way once it happened to me a few years back in 2006.
My brief stint into writing made me a writer by profession. Right now I am working in a marketing company for my living. However, theater always lives within me even at my work.
Born and brought up in a small town in Assam known as Tezpur, my journey so far have been full of ups and downs as I have come across both demanding and compelling situations. However, my college days have been the most happening period of my life as I cultivated the vision and new meaning of life through my exposure to the world of theatre.
One of such great exposure with lifelong experience also came to me as a student of Delhi University. The pleasure of being a part of the “Aman Mela” always remains fresh in my memory. The “Aman Mela” was organized by PIPFPD (Pakistan India People’s Forum For Peace and Democracy) under the Govt. of India in 19th -24th December, 2005 to support the cause of restarting the railway link between India and Pakistan to promote peace and mutual relation between the two countries. Representing our country, we as the students of ‘Delhi University’ presented a play. I consider being a part of that team as my lifetime achievement for my country.
For me right communication through a right medium is the best technique that one should possess and develop in order to feel him/her self as a part of the society and link with the outer world.
