The Cherlapally Central Prison reverberated with the laughter of hundreds of its inmates who were witness to theatre performances fully scripted, directed and enacted by 16 of their fellow inmates on Tuesday.
Trained under the ‘Incarceration theatre project', by Kalajyioti cultural organisation and the State Prisons Department, interested inmates underwent a full-time training in theatre for 15 days.
“This is an effort to bring their abilities to the fore. While people assume that theatre is only for actors, this is an effort to make them understand that theatre is the best way for one human to understand another,” said Dr. Vijaya Raghava, project director and performance trainer.
The two plays and a mime act on AIDS awareness received roars of approval, both from their fellow inmates and prison officials. “We were very shy and apprehensive initially. But during the days of the orientation, the prison actually felt like an institute. We opened up and practised a lot to put up such a show,” said Bhairava Sharma, an inmate, who wrote and directed a comedy play.
While social acceptance is a pivotal role in their lives after release from the prison, the training programme was an effort to help them earn a livelihood and establish themselves as artists.
“This is a brilliant way to show that prison inmates are no less talented than others.
Having done the masks, stage design and make-up all by themselves, they have put a very good act today. This will serve as one good experience they can carry home from their stay in the jail,” said actor Rallapally, the chief guest.
Focusing on the physical, psychological and verbal aspects of inmates, R. Ravi Sarma, secretary, Kalajyoti said that this initiative is the first of its kind in the country.
