The Hindu : Karnataka / Mysore News : Experiments on stage for a new beginning for prisoners

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 30, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Mysore

Experiments on stage for a new beginning for prisoners

Sharath S. Srivatsa

Theatre workshops being conducted to demystify misconceptions about life in jail

Rehabilitation through theatre: Prisoners of the Mysore Central Jail at a rehearsal of `Taledanda'. (Inset) Hulugappa Kattimani — PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

MYSORE: His experiments have mostly been with those serving in prison with an aim to uplift their morale. However, the process of rehabilitation has come in handy for jail administrators as well.

The theatre training workshops for jail inmates have become a passion for the Rangayana artiste, Hulugappa Kattimani. Over the last eight years, he has produced at least four plays, and the prisoners are now practising for the fifth one at the Mysore Central Jail. What started as a small experiment at the Bellary Central Jail in 1997 has now emerged as a successful means of rehabilitating prisoners.

Opportunity

The effort has also created unique opportunities for the prisoners to display their talents. Over 200 men and women have been trained in various aspects of theatre and their productions have been widely acclaimed. And after the initial glitches of identifying himself with the group, Mr. Kattimani has managed to command the respect and faith from the inmates.

The workshops have resulted in the production of Kalaniyama by inmates of Bellary Central Jail, Marunayaka by inmates those at the Mysore Central Jail, Madhavi and Jundi Seshanayaka by the inmates of Bangalore Central Jail, and the production of Taledanda is underway at the Mysore Central Jail. Marunayaka was even staged at the National Theatre Festival at Kasaragod in 2001.

An alumnus of Neenasam Theatre, Mr. Kattimani told The Hindu that the initiative was taken up to ensure that prisoners are given the opportunity to merge with mainstream society after they have completed their jail term.

To be staged

Once the current workshop is completed, the inmates of Mysore Central Jail will stage Taledanda at other jails in the State and also in North Karnataka. The production is expected to be ready in 45 days and the first show is likely to be staged in July, he said. As part of the workshop, the participants are also given training in yoga, painting, sculpting, Kamsale, and other art forms.

Mr. Kattimani said: "The workshop will help inmates break the monotony of life within the four walls of the jail. The preparation and production of the play lasts for one-and-a-half months. This takes up much of their time and keeps them occupied." While such initiatives give a new lease of life to the inmates, he said, it also helps create goodwill towards the prisoners among the public.

Objective

Mr. Kattimani said that the plays are produced with the objective of demystifying certain notions about life in a prison and the personalities of prisoners. He said that the popular media such as films and serials have portrayed life in jail in a negative manner.

Mr. Kattimani, however, said that very few of the prisoners who have completed their term have involved themselves in theatre.

Economic compulsions, the need to cope with family problems, and the need to find suitable employment put a burden on the prisoners, leaving them very little time to take to theatre.

While some of them are taking part in similar activities, the programme has built their self-confidence and provided them with the belief that they too can lead a normal life.

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