Embodied Storytelling: Exploring Kathabhinaya for Empowering Vulnerable Social Groups
Janardan Ghosh
story performer, creative director, education officer, India
WORKSHOP
At Athens International Conference "Theatre/Drama & Inclusive Education"
21-23 of March 2025
Hellenic Theatre/Drama & Education Network (TENet-Gr)
Language: English
Limited number of participants
Workshop Overview
This hands-on workshop introduces Kathabhinaya, a form of Indian classical narrative performance, as an educational tool for vulnerable social groups, including refugees, migrants, and marginalised communities. Participants will explore how gesture-based storytelling transcends linguistic and cultural barriers, fostering social inclusion and emotional expression. The workshop aims to provide educators and community leaders with skills in Kathabhinaya, integrating them into intercultural learning practices to address the educational needs of marginalised groups.
Objectives
-Introduce Kathabhinaya as a non-verbal communication tool for vulnerable social groups.
-Empower participants to use embodied storytelling to foster cultural exchange and emotional healing.
-Provide hands-on experience in Kathabhinaya techniques, focusing on gestures, facial expressions, and body movements.
-Develop a deeper understanding of how Kathabhinaya can support identity formation and social integration.
Target Audience: educators working with vulnerable groups, community organisers and social workers, performers interested in intercultural practices, refugees, migrants, and socially disadvantaged individuals as active participants
Structure
-Introduction to Kathabhinaya.
-Overview of the tradition, cultural significance, and how it can be adapted for educational purposes.
-Interactive Sessions: participants will learn basic Kathābhinaya techniques, focusing on storytelling through gestures, facial expressions, and physical movement. Sessions will include exercises that encourage participants to express their personal stories using these techniques.
-Group Creation and Performance: participants will co-create narratives based on shared experiences, emphasising intercultural dialogue and mutual learning. Performances will conclude with open discussions on cultural empathy and inclusion.
Theoretical Foundation: Grounded in Rasa Theory and Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy, this workshop challenges traditional, hierarchical education systems by introducing performance-based, participatory methods. Through storytelling, participants will explore how emotional engagement can foster a sense of belonging and identity affirmation, creating inclusive learning environments for marginalised communities.
Expected Outcomes: participants will acquire practical skills in Kathabhinaya for use in educational and community contexts. Vulnerable groups will experience empowerment through embodied self-expression. The workshop will encourage a cross-cultural dialogue that promotes social cohesion and empathy among diverse groups.
Conclusion: This workshop aims to integrate Kathābhinaya within the larger educational framework of the project, offering innovative methods for fostering inclusion, cultural understanding, and emotional healing among vulnerable populations. By emphasising non-verbal storytelling, the workshop creates a platform for marginalised voices, providing an alternative educational experience that is both creative and transformative.
Dr. Janardan Ghosh is a storyteller, performer, academic, and theatre director with a Ph.D. in Performance and Spirituality from Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University. His research delves into Tribal Story Performance in Santhal Parganas. He has collaborated with acclaimed directors and global institutions, including the Royal Shakespeare Company and British Film Institute. As an actor, he starred in the National Award-winning film Kalkokkho. Currently, he serves as the Education Officer at Madhusthali Vidyapeeth and Creative Director at OGLAM and OBO, teaching theatre worldwide and presenting his research at prestigious international conferences.
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