Online Playback Performance with Kamla Nehru College, Delhi University

The Yuva Ekta Playback Theatre Group had the honour of performing thrice for the students of Department of Psychology, Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi. A total strength of 90 students was divided into three batches, each of whom presented with some heartwarming stories for us to ‘play’ with. Since the lockdown began, the Yuva Ekta Playback Theatre Group has been experimenting with the theme ‘Towards a New Horizon: New beginnings. New challenges’. The idea is to explore uncertainties in the world around us, as lockdown restrictions begin to ease. Each story that has been narrated as a part of this theme has been borne out of one’s special and unique circumstances. Performing for young students of Kamala Nehru College was an absolute delight. For the first time, we received a genuine insight into how the University education world has been turned upside down since the beginning of the pandemic. While new realities have also brought new adjustments, personal lives of students have been massively affected. Not everyone is from this city. Some students have stayed away from their parents and loved ones, while others have yearned for space among diminishing boundaries at home due to the lockdown. What does this mean for safe spaces? How does one find solace and comfort in the world around, with everything from studies to interaction, shifting to the online world? In all the quagmire, we spoke about love, loss, family, aspirations, dreams and uncertainties, defined by the pandemic. Each session was unique, and every story helped uncover a new layer of uncertainty in the world around us. What stood out was the absolute ease and confidence with which the students spoke about themselves and the issues they face. It matters to us tremendously that we create a safe, open, and non-judgmental space in our performances. To see our promise, reap positive results and come to fruition is a validation of our efforts. We would like to thank the teachers, staff and students of the Department of Psychology, Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi, for giving us this chance to perform. Looking forward for more such engagements.