The thought of standing, emoting, and moving, dressed in special clothes in front of an audience can be a life transforming moment for anyone ...... and more so for a person with special needs .
When we overcome personal inhibitions , and get into our roles,we experience the POWER of Theatre which allows us to play different roles and be different people . This by itself is of a great therapeutic value.
Theatre provides a creative and enriching environment , and the ARTISITIC EXPERIENCE enhances the quality of life .
By focusing on performance training, we,at RASA , help individuals with special needs
- Gain confidence
- Develop discipline
- Express self
- Develop ability to work in groups.
- Await turn to perform.
- Understand the dimensions of proper timing and proper spacing
- Experience different cultures through different roles , AND
- Get an opportunity to be in the limelight .
This is done very systematically at RASA . Our trained facilitators go to identified outreach centres . (Outreach centres are other special schools in chennai ) They train students with special needs through the year and the culmination of the effort is what is seen on what we call "RASA day" -An annual event at Narada Gana Sabha . Chennai.It is a grand event where around 160 to 180 individuals with special needs take part. They are brought in from different parts of the city, get ready , put their make up on , don special costumes and TAKE THE STAGE BY STORM ! it is indeed a very special culmination of a year's work. Here is a write up of this years presentation: Nithya Mukthan.
Nithya Mukthan was a presentation of Indian Dance Theatre directed Dr Ambika Kameshwar and presented by around 160-180 artistes with different abilities.
Held at Narada Gana Sabha on 28th February 2020,it marked 30 years of service for the organisation Ramana Sunritya Aalaya- RASA . The presentation covered the stories of eight great saints Kanchi Paramacharya , Sri Ramakrishna , Yogi RamSurat kumar , Abhinava VIdya Theertha Mahaswami , Shirdi Sai Baba , Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi , Naranathu Bhranthan and Pappa Ramdas. It was an enriching experience for all .
The special artistes who presented the show were from five of RASA’s outreach centres ( Andhra Mahila Sabha , Ashraya , MGR home for the hearing impaired , Pathway and Saraswathi Kendra Learning Centre ) , and three of RASA’s own centres .
Dr Ambika penned the script , scored the music and Directed the Show .The trained team of RASA staff - Usha , Poorna , Anandhi , Rita and Jayashree handled the choreography , & the Research Resource was provided by G Kameshwar . Multi media visuals were provided by RASA’s Audio Visual Team comprising of Poorna, Jayashree and Francis , and the rich costumes were coordinated we by Anandhi from RASA with a support team . The programme management was by Mathangi Ramprasad and V Sundhar .
(The above are names of staff members and have already been published in the invites )
