In search for the light within

KOLKATA: Redefining the limits of creativity and providing a podium for interaction is the Shyambazar Blind Opera, a theatre group comprising the ''visually impaired'' youth.
One of its kind in India and probably in Asia, it has used theatre as its window to the world.
Tucked away in a small room in a narrow north Kolkata bylane — (in)famous for its thriving flesh trade, the Blind Opera has come a long way since its inception in 1996.
It was while working for a project on street children that we realized the importance of theatre and its contribution towards an individual''s character development," stated president of the group, Dr Prasanta Chattopadhyay.
A professor of Chemistry by profession, it was the desire to study the cultural anthropology of human lives and portray it through plays that prompted him to initiate a movement.
With a few like-minded individuals who shared similar interest in theatre, he began initiating theatre among the blind children of Calcutta Blind School Behala, on request from its principal.
As part of its Centenary celebration, the school staged its first production Joto Durey Jayi at Rabindra Sadan.
With several such students coming together, the Blind Opera was formed and took off thereafter.
Begun with 29 blind youth and 9 sighted people, the group has grown into a committed theatre group with several productions to its credit.
Its first production Orchestra presented the story of a blind orchestra comprising male and female singers who considered the group to be their ship which would help them sail through life''s difficulties.
However, personal and social barriers break the group into smithereens.
Directed by Subhasish Gangopadhyay, the play was staged at the Academy of Fine Arts and received rave reviews. "The concept is magnificent, the execution mindboggling," stated the review and termed the group as one of its kind to be found anywhere in the world.
Several television channels telecast it also. Encouraged by the response, they staged Buddhadeb Basu''s Sankranti on the 18th day''s war of the Mahabharata.
Later productions included Andhakaarer Rupkatha in 1999, Manasha Mangal in 2000 and the recent one being Chaitanyer Mrityu in 2001.
"Their ability to create has made them gain immense confidence and look upon themselves as worthy human beings," said Chattopadhyay.
Several individuals have also come forward from mainstream society to support these individuals in production work. "It has given me a sense of mental satisfaction ever since I joined the group," said Chaitali Sen, a resident of Golf Green.
"Theatre has made me emerge confident both mentally and physically. I experience and share my lives with 30 other friends within the group and they are like family to me," said actor and group member, Shib Sankar Prasad Verma, a ''visually impaired'' youth. He adds that he feels "blind and handicapped only when society looks down upon"him.
Apart from participating in a five week production-oriented drama workshop, jointly with the students of the National School of Drama (NSD) New Delhi in 1998, the Blind Opera has also organized the Pratibandhi-O-Prantik-Natyotsab at Gyan Manch in 2000.
"It is a drama festival to showcase the creative ability of the handicapped youth, children of sex workers and the street children," said artist and core group member, Sourav Bose.
This was followed by another festival held at Gorky Sadan in 2001 which included guest lectures and a joint production of a play by all participating groups.
The group, to begin the theatre workshop offered paan and betel nuts to all participants as a welcome gesture and introduced it as the ''Pan Supari Utsab.''
While regular grants from the Union human resource development (HRD) ministry and call shows to neighbouring districts has sustained the group and provided means of livelihood to several members, the Blind Opera plans to provide a permanent means of employment through theatre itself.
"We have been gifted a piece of land at Rajarhat and we want to establish a performing arts school exclusively for the visually impaired," said Chattopadhyay.
He has also requested the blind school to include theatre as part of its syllabus and induct members from the Blind Opera as trainers.
"We want theatre to be a means of their livelihood," he added.
Moreover, as member Sourav Bose rightfully added, "We need something more than two reserved seats in state owned buses."
In search of the light within Apart from being one of its kind in the country, the city-based Blind Opera comprising the ''visually impaired'' has made theatre not only a means of social communication but also a way of earning a livelihood.