Exploring medical humanities through theatre of the oppressed

• DOI: 10.4103/0019-5545.102461
• Publication Date: 2012-10-15T11:57:35Z
• Authors: Satendra Singh; Jagjit Khosla; Shobhana Sridhar
• Keywords: Mandala; Medical humanities; Institution

Sir, Theatre is a form of knowledge; it should and can also be means transforming society. help us build our future, rather than just waiting for it. – Augusto Boal Established by the Brazilian theatre legend Boal, Oppressed (TO) that used globally community education. It powerful tool which uses array games exercises to community, communication skills, deepen understanding ourselves others. TO may new medical practitioners in India but their role education widely known. "Forum Bystanders" practiced gather awareness gender violence prevention aims increase moral responsibility bystanders.[1] health professionals deconstructing toxic exposures, risk factors, cumulative stressors impacting well-being communities.[2] McClimens Scott argues use forum as method addressing learning disability concerns Nursing setting.[3] The Jana Sanskriti Center Kolkata involved with past 21 years. Early this year, Marc Weinblatt (Mandala Change, Seattle, USA) Dr. Radha Ramaswamy (Founder, Centre Community Dialogue Bengaluru) organized workshops four cities Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad were attended NGO members, writers, well parents. Beginning 2009, University College Medical Sciences (UCMS), Delhi, has become first institution run Humanities Group (MHG) staff students.[4] To appreciate humane dimensions student's life, group staged street on A.I.D.S. (Academic Induced Degenerative Syndrome).[5] Continuing student involvement, "Infinite Ability", special interest MHG, ever workshop students India. 26 from UCMS, Army Sciences, Amar Jyoti Institute Physiotherapy participated 2-day along two faculty members. was endowed eminent facilitators Ram who conducted workshop. Workshop comprised number (Name playback, Cover space, Columbian hypnosis, Sound Movement Transformation, Image gallery, Glass Cobra, Zip-Zap-Zoom) stimulate sensitivity impulses inherent inside concealed or oppressed rigid patterns thought created mechanical world. They followed Forum provided both actors spectators opportunity understand problems around them motivated actively bring change solve effectively, process enabling rediscover potential creating change. Quite aptly, named "Breaking Patterns, Creating Change" those caught up repeating oppression broke free realized bringing close real life situations enacted gave comfort not being struck dumb adrenaline rush its closeness made think critically how we would react reacted when such situation arose. In Boal's words, "this kind expressly 'subjunctive'; is, represents version reality experimental, asking 'what would..?' stating 'this is'." On day 2, randomly selected groups 4-5 three-dimensional images exploring themes like "cadaver," "selection MBBS," "religion," "lack passion." Later on, individuals sculpted based "Good practice" using bodies other participants own clay. static beginning dynamization changed following innate theatrical impulses. Conventional imposes "finished visions world" denies audience capacity look alternatives. merely spectator there. But theatre, "spect-actor," i.e., members are empowered imagine about problem experiment different perspectives through acting. way, many alternative solutions come assessed efficacy. "Abandoned" challenged an unsolved protagonist debilitating Parkinson's disease abandoned family, later doctor, finally he lost faith. constant depression loneliness forced him commit suicide. invited suggest enact problem. responded suitably "Spectators" "Spect-actors." demonstrated find apply all only if they realize inert collective do so. that, have break shackles patterns, listen inner At some point lives doctors, each starts going motions mechanically. We stop empathizing start treating patients objects, machines need put right. ability re-humanize reach lives. wait sin. Using trigger cathartic humanities work will everyone grow symbiotically lead at better society aspire for. For Paulo Freire (Pedagogy Oppressed), agent (Theatre theatre.. humanities, confluence science art where important play this. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS thankful (Centre Change) conducting students. been possible without co-operation Professor O. P. Kalra, Principal Navjeevan Singh, Coordinator Upreet Dhaliwal, participants, most spect-actors.