Published in Theatre in Education magazine for the Production of 2010 "Beyond Boundaries"
Dec 2008
When I decided to leave the lucrative IT Industry to pursue a career in teaching, many people dissuaded me but none from their hearts as all could see the fruits of following your dreams. I planned it for four years and finally I undertook a 17 day road trip from Bangalore to Delhi to prepare my mind for the change. On hindsight it seems ridiculously funny, like a child contemplating whether to enter a play area in a park is a good idea or not.
June 2009
This was not the first time I crossed a “mind” made boundary and once I entered Christ University and stood in the massive auditorium on inauguration day listening to the VC addressing, I knew it would not be the last. I could sense the tingling magic that was floating around. The soaring roof and beautiful stage beckoned my soul to rise and my heart was in my throat. The lines in my hand danced around mesmerized at the very possibility.
July 2010
I always loved theatre. When I was in school and college, I was fortunate enough to have acted in many plays, script some and direct a few. I used to look back on those days with nostalgia. TIE poster attracted my attention this summer and my mind started wondering of the possibilities of a second helping of theatre.
My days are very tight with teaching and mentoring students in the Department of Computer Science. Taking time out in the early morning for this seemed a bit difficult. The Certificate Course in Playback Theatre was meant to be more of a hobby when I started but it has been such a learning experience that it is hard to put the impact into words.
Two hour classes from 6:20 to 8:30 AM actually put in me so much energy that I feel I had gained more time in a day
• I was getting up at five in the morning
• Practicing for a corporate play from 4:30PM – 6:00PM
• Taking Theatre Workshop for MBA students on Sundays
• Directing two plays
• Giving moral support for my students of CMS / CME for Darpan
• Squeezing time to see Darpan Stage Events
• Teaching Computer Science using Theatre
• Activities/CIA to make a song/play on a computer theory paper
• Workshop for Placement based on Theatre
I feel I have become more expressive when I teach in class. I have discovered more sections in the library I did not know existed. When I tell stories to my kids in the night, they seemed to be enjoying it more than before. I actually wrote a poem after four years called Playbacker’s Prayer. I have expanded my student network in Christ University to different courses.
I am a peer of fellow play backers who are immensely talented and with electrifying spontaneity. I am a student of an outstanding teacher whose methodology is treading the fine line between the real and the spiritual world. I am an actor working under two directors who have a passion and vision which makes you just stare at the direction they point.
August 2010
It has been only a month since this teacher joined Playback Theatre but one thing is clear you will not be able to take the theatre out of this teacher because “Theatre in Education” is his new mantra.
“Success is counted sweetest by those who ne’er succeed
To comprehend the nectar requires the sorest need”
Emily Dickinson
