This week, a platform is offering safe spaces to vent pent-up anger, and then heal the cracks by using creative skills and learning to imbibe patience
Smashing ceramic items helps participants release anger without affecting other people. Representation pics/Istock
Mental health conversations are on the rise, especially since today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Throughout this week, a series of sessions on rage therapy are being held in five different parts of town by Small World, a Bengaluru-based community events organisation, for participants to let out all their suppressed fury — at or about anyone and anything — by smashing ceramic mugs and pots to their heart’s content. There’s a catch, though — after the smoke of the rage, comes the chance to repair the ruin.
“We first came up with the idea for this event with the objective of allowing people to connect with themselves and others, especially if much of their routine involves screen time and scrolling endlessly,” says Saurav Arya, founder of Small World, a platform that specialises in curating boutique events for people to connect and explore their passions and skills. “It’s a good way for people to step out and actually do [new] things.” He elaborates, “We all experience different things in life; be it at college, home or the workplace. I’ve seen that people really want to express themselves deep down, but are often more comfortable doing so with strangers, rather than their family and friends.”
A participant breaks down his ceramic object
The rage therapy sessions offer a safe and lively space for participants to break various ceramic pots and mugs, using them as objects of releasing emotions. But after the anger dies down, participants must slowly piece their pots back together. The concept of these sessions draws from the Japanese art of Kintsugi. Arya says, “In Japan, the art of Kintsugi involves repairing broken items of pottery, instead of throwing them away. The philosophy is to give them a golden finish when fixing them; the cracks are reconstructed and made to look more beautiful than before. It’s symbolic of self and mental health, because it’s about finding strength, perseverance and hope by rebuilding yourself even when you’re down or broken.”
Arya shares that most of the attendees are young students and working professionals between the ages of 21 and 30. “Gen Z makes up a lot of our attendees; right now, I see that it is Gen Z who is especially concerned about mental health,” he says.
Saurav Arya
“There is more awareness about mental health problems and these sessions offer a sort of culture to speak openly about them. There’s no shortage of problems and grievances people have, whether with their manager or social circle, and they are open to sharing it with others; sharing their story makes them feel lighter. Many [attendees] even take their repaired mugs and pots home as keepsakes to remind them of their own resilience.” Small World has been hosting rage therapy sessions across India for three to four months now. Their sessions will also be conducted in Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi-NCR and Kolkata.
What is Kintsugi?
Pics Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons
It is an ancient Japanese art of repairing ceramic pottery items with lacquer and a metal powder typically made of silver or gold. The concept is to mend objects (above) by beautifying the cracks, thereby visually recording the history of the object as a prized possession and symbol of endurance.
Where to sign up
ON September 10-13;
3 pm to 3:30 pm
AT Brew Haus Café, Bhavani Shankar Road, Dadar West.
Two women show off their repaired ceramic objects
ON September 12; 12 pm
AT Hilton Mumbai International Airport Hotel, Ashok Nagar, Andheri East.
ON September 13; 2:39 pm
AT Lil Gamby Pizza Shop & Bar, Sitaram Jadhav Marg, Lower Parel.
ON September 14; 12:51 pm
AT Out Of The Blue, Union Park Road No 4, Khar.
ON September 14; 5:21 PM
AT Waikiki, Hotel Peninsula Grand Metro Station, Lokmanya Tilak Nagar, near Saki Naka, Andheri East.
LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com
ENTRY Rs 899 onwards
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
