Loud Whispers

It was March, when I stepped back again in YT for my theatre season. We were a small group of about six-seven people back then. We still used to train for CTS (complete-the-story) and had loads of fun, between all of us. Then, the new basic workshop joined us. The energy in the space intensified ten fold, and I felt as if I am back in the children's workshop. We gradually came up with our stories and finalized them. Yes, people left and people came and we had to accommodate all of them, which was a difficult task. By the time it was June, we were ready with our pieces; eager to go and show them to the audience waiting for us out there!

We had our first show, and then our second show, and then our third show in many different places. Angel's Home, Dream Society (I hope I am right!), Vasanthnagar (was it?) Government School, and another school in that area, oh, and a labour camp! We went to many such places like that to perform, targeting NGOs and Government Schools.

In no time, we had put up around seven shows around Bangalore. It took us around a month and a half to two months to finish this. And, then, we worked on our SIP. We polished our stories and added scenes, while also discarding them; we added dialogues, and discarded them; we changed this and that and worked real hard on our piece; something we kept really close to our heart. We had spent months getting this done. We wanted it to be perfect. Every minute in YT, I spent my time either thinking about my piece or rehearsing it and improving it.

And, two months later, we were all ready with it! We were ready to go out there and perform our first SIP. We did it, and we ourselves saw the change in the performance we used to do, and we did now. A six month journey has abruptly come to an end. It was one of the best journeys I have ever had, and I am not going to forget this. Its amazing to see the amount of learning and change in us and I am sure we are all craving for more; more formats, more shows, more learning opportunities. YT never stops giving life lessons, and the journey has just begin! There is so much more to do; there are so many more chances!

Thankyou Loud Whispers for being the amazing team that you are! Had the best time, and the best experiences with you! Thankyou Madam Artistic Director for believing in us, and giving us this chance! I look forward to many more enlightening days!

P.S I have used "WE" because I know I am speaking not only for myself, but for everyone who has been a part of Loud Whispers.  

Is Humanity Really Dead?

I remember learning in Indian history about untouchability. I thought with the anti-untouchability laws it must have been eradicated. I came to know, yesterday, it is still followed like before. People say giving the SCs and STs reservations is wrong. But after realizing the way they are treated, I feel its right. If the learned people feel that untouchability should be followed, then we are damned! And, no, this is not an assumption. I saw a video. I will attach the link at the end.

Why can't the lower castes rise and become normal citizens? In the urban world, untouchability is not followed openly, but it is still rampant. In the rural areas, its as if time has been stuck. Children going to school are taught about untouchability. Lower caste children are made to clean bathrooms while upper caste children enjoy in school. In a country that is developing so fast, untouchability can be the factor that will destroy everything. If government schools teach children about untouchability, I do not know how and when are we going to eradicate poverty itself from this country.

In the video, I saw how these people were treated and what ridiculous rules they had to follow! For example, in a tea stall the Shudras get tea in cups made of glass and they have to wash it before going. Moreover, before entering the shop, they have to remove their slippers. Rules like this exist in almost all villages.

It is not only about the villages; not only about being unable to draw water from the wells; not only about discriminating between children; not only about the illiterate. Its about everyone! This is followed in offices in the urban parts undercover; unofficially. The minute someone comes to know you are from a lower caste, they stop trusting you and giving you work. Why do we have a mindset like this? Its the 21st century. Times are changing, and this is not the time to discriminate between CASTE!!! Caste does not define who a person is. Caste is not the basis to judge a person on; nothing is.

Infact, converts from Hinduism to other religions have carried the caste system with them, too. I should not be talking about religions, but I feel so sad when I realize that Hinduism has contaminated other religions with the caste system. Caste should not be the reason potential friendships are broken, and it should not be the reason people shun each other.

The worst part about the cast system is that the so-called "upper castes" take advantage of the lower castes and torture them! If the lower castes try standing up to them, they are beaten; murdered! The amount of torture the "lower castes" go through is horrendous! The caste system has ruined lives in a way that can ruin worlds. The more I write, the more I feel the caste system should be removed. And, it should! Or, it will destroy everything India has ever striven to achieve.

P.S its a two hour documentary. Please see it when you are going to be completely free. Please see it till the end, because every second has something different to offer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgDGmYdhZvU