In the world of soundscapes…

BY DR RAJAT CHABBA

Over the past two years, I have had the pleasure of witnessing and forming several small yet significant associations. These associations have been significant and at times though provoking considering the very nature of development sector.

While you read this story, may I request you to blindfold yourself and ask someone to narrate this story to you?

Ever wondered, how is it to develop a taste for food blindfolded, considering that vision is such a critical part of decoding the mystery that surrounds some of our mouthwatering delicacies.

Ever thought what a rainbow means to blind?

Exploring answers to these during the course of my ongoing journey towards social inclusion, one such encounter was my tryst with soundscapes; I reached a unique signpost called “Yours Truly”.

Yours Truly Theatre is a registered (Government of Karnataka) Improvisational & Interactive Theatre Group based out of Bangalore, India. Started in the year 2003 Yours Truly Theatre uses the power of applied improvisational theatre for change and exploring theatre that is spontaneous, intuitive & beyond script.

One meeting with the group and a self witnessed live performance gave birth to an idea of sensitizing people towards the plight of visually impaired. The idea was to utilize theatre as a mean to make people introspect, think about others and be sensitive towards the needs of children and adults with special needs rather than being apologetic and sympathetic. That was the birth of “Black Rainbow – A theatre performance for visually impaired as well as sighted”.

40 visually impaired children along with 30 other sighted people representing various sections of the society were audience to this unique performance by Ranji, Nandini and their group. With everyone including the artists blindfolded and the situations and the stories coming from the audience, the artists enacted real life instances from the lives of blind children present there and gave them a chance to reflect upon their life and also allowed others to reflect on how life is without sight. Based on the concept of soundscapes, utilizing the power of it’s a different world where “I see” is replaced by “I feel”, conviction and trust are more important than seeing and believing. In this world we all are equal and there exists no scope for discrimination.

That one of hour of performance brought a smile to many young faces. It left many so called sighted people looking for answers. As for me, as always, I was left standing in the last row wondering If ever there be a time when soundscape will become a universal language and eliminate the void existing between sighted and unsighted. To end I have just a simple question:

“Instead of being ‘blind as a bat,’ can’t one effectively ‘see’ like a bat – using sound instead of vision to guide you on your way?”

The answer will be yes but have a long way to go…..

Dr Rajat Chabba has been writing for us this column, The Other Side, since last more than one year. An alumnus of the prestigious Institute of Rural Management Anand, he brings in unique perspectives and insights from the little known world of development sector. A popular writer with our readers, we hope he will have the same impact in this new layout. He can be contacted at rajat@thesipoflife.com