ASMR Play Review

Divyani Rattanpal	Host-A-Performance \| Schedule

Direction : Hiya Anupam Writer : Hiya Anupam Cast : Ijaz Ahmed, Himbarsha Das, Karishma Puzari, Suvangi Keot, Tanmana Devi, Lakhyajyoti Boruah, Hiya Anupam

ASMR Review

There's a whole universe of ASMR content floating on YouTube. People softly whispering,or doing something mundane like eating, with a special focus on the auditory part of the performance. However, a theatrical performance hingeing on to ASMR is something unique indeed.

An Assamese play, performed by a Guwahati based group attempts to do just that ( as part of Thespo 24's Tamasha 24*7 programme)..

It's divided into four parts. Part A delves into the neglect of pain. This is performed via the actor's painful sighs. It attempts to show that neglecting pain does not itself lead to pleasure. Pain must be felt, and its sighs and crying - welcomed.

Part B deals with the question of the 'me within the I'. Its motive is to make us aware of what powerful consciousness lays underneath all the egoism.

Part C is a comment on the collective consciousness. Part D takes it a bit further by showing how it can practially lead to the healing of an indivdual.

Part E deep dives into the unbearable heaviness of pain. But how, through empathy, we can feel each other's experiences and face the paradox of individual existence.

ASMR is normally about sensory pleasure. This performance is part of a new wave of ASMR where its boundaries are pushed beyond the conflines of 'that initial indescribable feeling one experiences' to something more thoughtful and philosophical. A new emotional stimuli for the mind.

However, a big reason why ASMR works is because it has the listener's enhanced attention. As only then can they enjoy the tingle-inducing sensations out of it.

Even though this play has been built with the intention of providing an ASMR for catharsis, the audience has to be urged to equally participate. However, the aesthetics of the play are good. Its concept is unique. And lovers of philosophy will be able to find interesting nuances in it.

Although, someone who doesn't follow philosophy might have a slightly tough time trying to understand what's going on.

In the end, one must appreciate the braveness of the makers in trying to create something so profound and different for the stage. That's something truly rare.

*Divyani has worked as a journalist for The Quint, where she was also among the Founding Team members. While there, she also hosted and produced a podcast and fronted several standups. She's also worked for The Times of India group. She's now a theatre and film actor.

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