Focus on the mind

HOW WELL one says things matters. It is then the medium that makes successful the message. Taking up the complex issue of mental health requires a medium that is going to be more effective than usual.

Which is why the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), has struck upon a more aesthetic way of propagating awareness about mental health issues. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared 2001 as the year of mental health and April 7, 2001 as Mental Health Day. It has been recognised that there is a lot of misunderstanding about mental health and illness, which leads to delay in treatment and improvement, even among the urban literate population. Spreading awareness about mental health, then is topmost on the agenda. It is in pursuance of this that SCARF has put together an entertainment programme with a purpose, to be held in the city on February 25 at the Narada Gana Sabha.

What's different with this programme? There is song, dance and a little theatre too, of course to coincide with the general theme of the programme. Anita Ratnam's `Maanasi Maanasi - A Journey through the Mind`` is a vivid production that has been created and choreographed exclusively for SCARF. The special one hour programme will feature Anita Ratnam, guest artiste Priyadarshini Govind, musician OS Arun and over 15 performers from the Arangham Dance Ensemble.

Using a blend of music, rhythm, dance and dialogue, the work challenges the traditional ideas of mental health and the many factors that `tip the balance'. Maanasi, the lead character becomes the vehicle to examine the stress, strain, prejudices and dangers in an intolerant society. And as we journey through her mind, a call is heard for compassion and collective responsibility towards those who think differently.

The other event will be a presentation of Mahasweta Devi's play ``Bayen'', by the students of Stella Maris College. Bayen is the story of yet another woman scorned by society, yearning for a voice, pleading for self respect and dignity and a man torn between society and the way of his heart. Bayen, incidentally, won the award for the best play when it was first staged at the Inter-collegiate theatre competition, `Natak'.

The show has been put together by ``Events'' and donor passes for Rs. 500, Rs. 250, Rs. 200, Rs. 100 and Rs. 50 are available at the usual haunts: Landmark, Odyssey, SCARF and Anna Nagar (6263971, 6207073).

By Ramya Kannan

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