A Drumbeat of Self Expression Prithika Ramaiyer

To do today:

1. Conduct dramatics selections in snack-break
2. Script finalization with class teacher in club period
3. Production practice after school

It wasn’t always like this, though.

I’d had major body image issues and faced the under-confidence that comes with being overweight for years. I knew there was a creative spark in me, but it had been suppressed by layers of insecurities. I took years to overcome my devils. I found theatre, and it found me. It gave me the courage to speak up and show people who I really am. It was my platform for self-expression.

Knowing what a difference it made in my life, I wanted to create a platform for those unable to express themselves for any reason- from a stutter, to a lack of opportunities. I co-founded an initiative, ‘The Drumbeat Movement’, for this.

What did we do? We organised performances in the school ground during the lunch break every day. We assigned weekly themes which were social issues- anything from bullying, to body positivity, to women empowerment. The response was unbelievable. Every time I stepped out of my classroom, students of all ages rushed up to me.

“Here’s a poem on the LGBTQ community that I’ve written, could I recite it?”

“Me and my best friend want to sing a...