''*LIFE IN LINE*''

PROFESSOR Nabiha Shahram :.....
'Being a teacher of Gender Studies at university, I had always discussed with students the immense control of our society, commanding us how we should move, walk or express, resulting in our compartmentalised restricted movements, bodily function and flow of our thoughts.

'In the midst of noise in the circle of theatrical exercise at the university, some faced were puzzled, many were apprehensive not too sure how to loose their bodies.

When the theater artist/trainer asked them to freely move arms and legs and do the Alexander technique, they stared back at me as if bodily freedom is some prohibited act.

World over this technique is used to overcome not only bodily functional restrictions but mental ones too.

The act of coordination in Williamson technique turned out to be the most difficult for them. Later onwards each one of the participant was supposed to shout, out a number without overlapping with other group members.

The tenth time we all were able to focus on the flow of other's energy and the space needed for the invisible power of sound creation.

None of them were overpowered and reached the harmony and coordination. This was beginning of a theatrical workshop with the very talented Sana Jafri.

Being a teacher of Gender Studies at university, I had always discussed with students the immense control of our society, commanding us how we should move, walk or express, resulting in our compartmentalising of restricted movements, bodily function and flow of thoughts.

Through experiencing these exercises, I learnt how much unknowingly we have internalized the inner recesses  of emotions and movement.

The stiff bodies, half way through left broken communications and the fear of being judged all the time, this in itself is not the problem, rather the outcome of multiple issues.

Somewhere they need to liberate themselves from the constructed social roles and behaviours but the philosophical answers and theories would be of not much help. It was that mere circle experience that had transformed them in a very short time.

After a while of free movements while focusing just on each other's energies, leaving behind the sarcastic smile and the judgmental glares, there was a group willing to talk; respecting each other's space and opening up on various topics.

With almost a decade of experience with educating youth, I wanted to explore how a simple  theatrical exercise  can do that, that too with youth who seem to be self-indulgent?

Difficult to open up and too apprehensive to be convinced. Many problems and issues seemed to be answered just by simply validating  each other, listening to life experiences and different perspectives.

Liberating your own body from prescribed robotic movements, the mechanical attitude that is taught to us since early years, our bodies are not nurtured to speak of our moods but rather they follow the societal rules.

The World Students Society thanks the learned professor and assure her that the serving of this publishing of her research will continue, regularly.