Theatre is a dynamic art that introduces the viewer to a world of wonder and play. It encourages society to continue questioning, exploring and finding out new ideas and ways of living and thinking. It is not just about performing, but also creating, exploring and responding in the search of true selves and meaningful connections with others and the world around us. That’s what makes theatre and its performers more connected to the world than the exponents of any other art. That proximity results in compassionate expressions about the socio-political happenings.
During the post- flood relief and rehabilitation activities, theatre artistes showed how it is to be done. Many from the creative realm have been using art to cheer up those who are in relief camps. Some of them were affected by the floods themselves, but that did not stop them from coming out in support of the other victims.
Manu Jose, a theatre artiste, and his friends travelled to various camps during the post-flood days. The team comprised O.C. Martin, painter and theatre musician, Sudhi Vattappinni, actor and folk singer, and Sanoj Mamo and Ranjith Dingy, both actors. “My venture Meandyou Foundation conducts these activities in association with DC Books and the district administration,” says Manu, who visited three camps in Kottayam and four spread in Changanacherry and Thiruvalla.
“Once the floods started causing havoc, I realised that something like this would be needed soon. Soon, we began our work from Alappuzha,” he adds.
The whole process is in art therapy mode. The team followed different methods such as singing songs, narrating stories and dancing. “We can reduce tension by singing, dancing and performing,” he says.
They were careful to make the activities interactive. “We asked the organisers not to make announcements about the performances in camps because we wanted the inhabitants to become a part of them naturally. We went there, sat in a corner and started playing with the toys we had brought with us. Soon, the children joined us. In another instance, we started hitting a spoon on a vessel in the kitchen. Gradually, they picked up the rhythm. We found that method quite interesting,” explains Manu, who tried different kinds of storytelling. for both children and adults.
The Centre for Contemporary Art (CART), an organisation based in Kochi, actively participated in such activities. The centre is a collective of creative persons in Kochi including writers, filmmakers, theatre personalities, artists, actors, musicians, sculptors, etc. It is envisaged as a space for open talks, performances, discussions, rehearsals and screenings. During the floods, CART took the initiative to rehabilitate many affected families and even offered shelter for them to stay back until everything got back to normal. Director and playwright Johnson says, “CART’s inception was based on the idea that I stand for everyone. So, when the tragedy struck, we followed that idea and sheltered many here, and provided them with food and basic amenities with the help of our fellow artists and friends. The families were from Varapuzha, a coastal area, one of the most affected places in Ernakulam district,” says Johnson.
