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Drama Therapy Unlocks Prison Voices in India
22 Aug
Summary
- Prisoners use empty chairs for emotional expression.
- Therapeutic arts help inmates find relief and voice.
- Theatre tools foster empathy and understanding for prisoners.
In Maharashtra's state prisons, an innovative drama therapy tool called 'The Empty Chair' is being used to help inmates express suppressed emotions. This technique allows prisoners to speak to imagined people, such as family members or victims, facilitating apologies and confessions they cannot otherwise make.
Founded by Sarita Ganesh, the Khula Asman Trust leads 'Project Inner Light,' a mental health initiative in Thane, Yerawada, and Byculla prisons. The project uses dance, movement, art, music, and drama to help prisoners process their emotional weight, offering a pathway to finding their voice and achieving relief.
Therapeutic theatre is also being applied outside prisons. In Kandivali East, YUVA uses theatre elements in neighborhood walks to tell stories of low-income settlements, fostering awareness and empathy among visitors. Elements of theatre are also employed in corporate settings to enhance communication and presentation skills.
