Workshop by Thamp
Theatre’s intrinsic play with emotional dynamics makes it an impactful medium for transformation, according to experts. “Theatre ensures that you are conscious of your emotions. A participant may feel sad but has to act cheerful. When you act, you control your emotions. This can teach emotional regulation,” says Dr T R John, a senior psychiatrist at Aster Medcity.
He adds that for those dealing with social anxiety, low confidence, or loneliness, theatre provides a consciously engaged space for expression. Having personally attended drama therapy workshops, Dr John underscores the medium’s potential “both as an expressive outlet and a tool for emotional awareness”.
“Theatre is the nearest imitation to real life,” he adds. “For individuals facing social anxiety, for instance, the idea of interacting with others is terrifying. For such people, scripted interaction can be beneficial. Playing a role is also practising being social repeatedly. What starts off as performance becomes natural.”
Dr John cites the case of children with ADHD as well. “While rehearsing for a play, the child can’t interrupt, must be attentive, and not show impulsivity. This is instilled in them because one has to listen carefully to dialogues, pay attention to actions, wait their turn, and deliver lines at the right time,” he explains.
Theatre Academy for Media and Performance (Thamp) in Thiruvananthapuram is a notable example of this space. “We have been working at the intersection of art and therapy for some years now,” says Thamp creative director Rajesh Chandran, who trained under renowned psychiatrist Shekhar P Seshadri at Nimhans.
Rajesh, who was head of the theatre department at TVS Academy in Hosur, blends clinical knowledge and artistic experience. “The basic tools of theatre are the body, mind, and voice,” he explains.
“At Thamp, participants undergo a process tailored to their emotional and psychological landscapes. This approach is effective with children, many of whom deal with challenges at home and school.”
While such approaches were already established abroad, they were still novel locally when he started off. “I had to visit families to convince them to let their children explore theatre,” Rajesh says, stressing that parental involvement is vital.
“Thankfully, things have improved. More children are joining, and parents are now far more proactive. I believe theatre’s psycho-social potential should be explored at the governmental level.”
Well, this doesn’t mean that all theatre = therapy. Spaces like Rasa Theatre Collective in Kochi, led by Rahul Thomas, are cautious about the word ‘therapy’. Here workshops are designed for artistic growth and self-discovery. Though he acknowledges the emotional benefits of theatre, his primary focus is skill-building.
“Participants can get carried away with the intensity of emotions,” he says, pointing out that such intensity can derail the learning process.
“I bring them back to a space of ‘neutrality’ — a grounding moment after emotionally charged exercises. While we do pay close attention to participants’ emotional states, we avoid therapeutic guidance. Any healing effect is incidental, not intended.”
Rahul notes a pattern. “Many participants quietly seek therapy, though they rarely say it out loud,” he says.
As part of his intake process, he asks if participants are on medication or have mental health diagnoses. What follows after the first day is “emptying the cup” — a powerful emotional release. “But this is where things get tricky,” he adds.
Rahul says he has seen participants stop taking prescribed medication or professional medical guidance after experiencing this release. “This is worrying,” he says. “I am not doing therapy. I am not a therapist. It’s important to have a clear demarcation.”
‘Not a cure-all’
For over three decades, Chandradasan, founder and artistic director of Lokadharmi Nadakaveedu, has explored theatre as a transformative practice.
Central to his philosophy is surrendering self to serve a collective process. “I tell everyone: leave your shoes and your egos outside the door,” the thespian says.
At Lokadharmi, performers are trained to emotionally regulate during rehearsals. “Outbursts are rare,” notes Chandradasan.
Unlike drama therapy, which is clinically rooted, Lokadharmi engages with mental health through applied theatre — using performance to explore social issues, encourage introspection, and rehearse real-world solutions.
“We are aware of how delicate these situations can be,” he says. “We approach people through the language of theatre. That means speaking through a story, not a diagnosis.”
One of their major projects was a two-year collaboration with De Montfort University (UK), Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and Nimhans to study mental health literacy across eight tribal, rural, and urban regions in Kerala using theatre as a tool.
“The team met individuals diagnosed with mental illnesses, their doctors, families, and caregivers, and built performances based on recurring themes that emerged from these case studies,” says Chandradasan.
“We held workshops in closed, informal settings. They included food, songs, movements, and shared stories. A team of eight trained actors led these sessions after intensive preparation.”
Each location presented unique challenges, from rampant substance abuse to religious issues. “But in the end, everyone engaged freely,” says Chandradasan. “It addressed not only personal psychology but social psychology too.”
Chandradasan, who was a professor at St Albert’s College in Kochi, sees theatre as a powerful tool for those in emotional distress. “We have seen many participants go through moments of deep introspection and change,” he says.
“Those guiding such sessions should be trained to handle outbursts and triggers. Also, it is important to note theatre alone isn’t a cure-all. When you go deeper into trauma or mental illness, of course, medical specialisation is necessary.”
As we sum it up, one thing is clear: as Kerala’s theatre scene continues to evolve, it is not just about performance or applause anymore. Sometimes, it’s about healing — whether intended or not.
