Shyambazar Blind Opera

SHYAMBAZAR BLIND OPERA, KOLKATA - a group theatre organization of the predominantly VISUALLY CHALLENGED YOUTH - is trying earnestly to evolve a theatre with and for this neglected and peripheral segment of the society. We believe that this wretched of the earth can genuinely give a trial to their life if there begins a process of self awareness, reasoning and imaginative perception on the world around, along with creative participation in an environment of togetherness. , And this has been partly realized. Opera is participating in social activities with its theatre productions. Whether the occasion being an EYE CAMP or a LEPROSY HOSPITAL or for SPREADING BRAILLE EDUCATION. , Opera has successfully organized Workshop of the Visually Challenged Youth in collaboration with the Dept.of Sc. & Tech. & NES, Govt. of West Bengal, to explore the possibility of using theatre to impart mobility to them. Workshop with the marginally Orthopaedically Challenged youth was arranged to trained them as back stage artists in theatre& TVs to rehabilitate them in collaboration with Roopkala Kendro , a Govt. of West Bengal enterprise. , Moreover, we have conducted workshops in different institutions on Strengthening Education in Human Values for the Visually Impaired, a project with the financial support of Department of Secondary Education & Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development. , Members are gaining confidence. Blind actors - Sri Shamim Akhtar, Sri Samir Ghosal and Sm Sutapa Samanta - have directed a play on Environment & Echology with the students of Jana Mangal Adarsha Andha Vidyalaya of Dibrugarh, Assam in the month of July-August of the last year. It was a outstanding production, so far the report goes. Members are now more mobile and able to communicate the seeing world and dare to dream of a decent livelihood from self employment. , Uptill now Opera has presented fourteen theatre productions: Orchestra (2hrs, 1996-97), Sankranti (1hr, 1997-98), Andhakaarer Rupkatha (1hr 40m, 1998-99), Manasa Mangal (2hr 20m, 1999- 2000), Chaitanyer Mrityu (2hr, 2000-01), Nissanga Vidyasagar (2hrs, 2001-02), Raja (1hr40m, 2002-03) Aatarbalaar Simantagatha (2hrs, 2003-04) , Thake Sudhu Nachiketa (2hrs, 2004-05) , Tagore s Raktakarabi (1hr 40m, 2005-06), Banijya Bistar (1hr 35m, 2006-07) & Brist Bristi (1hr 50m, 2007-08), Brihannala (1hr,2008-09) & Kamala Sagar (1hr15mins,2008-09) , , Opera is also trying to include this theatre in the academic syllabus of the visually challenged students in their schools. Because it is now established that through theatre students can acquire and restore their mobility , at least partly and can gain confidence to take part in all the dialogues with the world around. , The mobility workshop in the Institute for the Blind are now being carried out mainly by the Visually Impaired actors & actresses with the assistances from the sighted members.