A Different Class of Actors

Theatre actor Maya Krishna Rao on her new initiative, TEST, to turn teachers into actors.

Maya Krishna Rao, theatre, Theatre actor Maya Krishna, Maya Krishna Rao play, Shiv Nadar University

Maya Krishna Rao in a scene from Lady Macbeth Revisited.

It is impossible to watch a performance by Maya Krishna Rao and not be angry. When she creates plays, the actor locks herself in a room of her south Delhi house, where, alone among the white walls, she unleashes her sorrows, reflections, satire and disappointment at society and records her narratives as these take shape. Thus were born Walk, in response to the Delhi gang rape incident, and The Non Stop Feel Good Show, a sharp look at an urban population’s idiosyncrasies and obsessions. Rao’s acting, drawn from her background as a Kathakali artiste, is physical, almost masculine, and the audience is forced to look at her, listen, react and be disturbed.

The same power of holding a hall captive is in force at the Shiv Nadar University (SNU) in Delhi, where Rao is pushing ahead her new initiative to “fire the imaginations of children by turning teachers and facilitators into artistes”. Titled “Theatre for Education and Social Transformation” (TEST), it aims to introduce drama into educational settings, the development sector and even the conflict zone. Eleven people have enrolled for the year-long TEST classes that started on June 16, and the guest faculty includes Ananda Reed, a Reader at the University of East London who is well-known for her projects in theatre for conflict resolution in Ruanda and Kyrgyzstan. In an interview, Rao talks about TEST and how all lessons need a little drama.

Drama and Theatre
I was in England in the ’80s when the Drama in Classroom movement was very strong. The thinking was ‘how can the teacher become the initiator, the catalyst, the planner for such a drama, where she is not teaching but the children are learning?’ Theatre in Education is about a drama company coming to a school, once in a few months, and performing, but Drama in Education is about the teacher sitting inside a classroom and teaching through theatre.

Meet Mr Bhagat Singh
In TEST, the end is not drama, it is learning through drama. In a history class, a teacher might say, ‘Let’s meet Bhagat Singh. Bhagat Singh took some pretty important decisions as a youngster. What impacts a young boy to make decisions like that?’ The teacher might go out, and come into the class again as Bhagat Singh. The children want to get into his life, they ask him why he wanted to throw the bomb into the Assembly. Bhagat Singh’s other option was to go to Bombay and join the workers’ movement. Why didn’t he do that? Through these questions, children get into issues of the national movement as well as present concerns such as ‘what is the difference between that terrorism and today’s terrorism?’ A lot of learning comes, not because it is read but because it is experienced. After it is over and the teacher asks, ‘What happened? You people met Bhagat Singh? Never ever will a child say, ‘You were Bhagat Singh. Never. Ever’.’

The Teacher-Actor
We are not looking for actors for TEST, we are looking for people who have an urge to teach in a different way. The challenge of TEST is ‘what are the different methods by which we can fire up teachers?’ Most teachers want to be exciting teachers. We don’t need teachers who have had any background in theatre but a sense of curiosity is very important.

Pause Play
As for me, I still go into my white-cubed room but I miss performing. Acting makes me think, it sharpens my senses and I lead a fuller life. Right now, only little vein is on. I just cannot manage. I am too full of TEST.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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