Alokananda Roy On Her Mission To Rehabilitate Inmates Through Dance Therapy

Alokananda Roy, an eminent dancer and social reformer, has pioneered the integration of dance therapy as a rehabilitative tool for marginalised communities, including prison inmates, juvenile offenders, and individuals grappling with diminished self-esteem. She terms her methodology "love therapy," a fusion of artistic expression and empathetic engagement. Through structured dance dramas, participants cultivate not only creative articulation but also a renewed sense of self-worth and agency.

Her work exemplifies how rhythm and movement, when coupled with compassion, can effect profound societal change. Roy’s Touchworld project—where she refers to prison inmates she works with as "her children"—demonstrates the rehabilitative potential of performative arts. Her advocacy extends to diverse marginalised groups, from transgender communities to acid attack survivors and children of imprisoned parents. A documentary chronicling her journey offers compelling insights into how artistic intervention fosters resilience and social reintegration.

 Excerpts from an interview with Alokananda Roy

Q: How did your journey of working with inmates begin?

A: It started at the Presidency Correctional Home, where I noticed the inmates struggled with feelings of isolation, anger, and hopelessness. I felt the need to provide them with a creative outlet and a way to reconnect with their emotions.

Q. How has your journey as an artist influenced your belief in art’s power?

A. My life has been guided by an unwavering faith in divine grace - a conviction that crystallised when I met The Mother (La Mère, French-Indian spiritual guru, occultist, and yoga teacher who collaborated with Sri Aurobindo and is now known as The Mother) in Pondicherry, an encounter that transformed my existence. Throughout my journey, I've been blessed with extraordinary gurus and mentors across every sphere: from Children's Little Theatre to dance and beyond. My family's steadfast support formed the bedrock of my courage. I've walked my path with fearless determination, embracing my choices with such single-minded focus that criticism simply found no place.

Q: How do you use dance and theatre as tools for transformation?

A: Dance and theatre act as therapeutic outlets. They help inmates rediscover their talents, express emotions, and nurture hope for a better future. Through this medium, they not only gain confidence but also find a way to heal and grow. My journey began from my early days at Children’s Little Theatre, and then a formal training from Sanjukta Panigrahi helped shape my future vision.

Q. How did your initiative TouchWorld come to be? How important was the spiritual growth in bridging the gap between dance and activism?

A. When I was a little girl and met La Mère (the French-Indian spiritual guru, occultist, and yoga teacher who collaborated with Sri Aurobindo and is now known as The Mother), I was completely transfixed. Her presence stirred something profound in me—an emotional awakening and an inner calling to dance. From that moment onward, I embraced this path without hesitation, never looking back. There was no plan, no calculated design; I’ve always trusted it to be the Mother’s blessing, a divine thread woven during my time in Pondicherry when that spiritual connection took root.

Today, I journey with prison inmates, accompanying them to performances across India. We travel together by train, sharing meals and stories, and not once has there been an untoward incident. 

Q: How do you bridge the gap between art and society through your work?

A: I use my art to raise awareness about social issues and advocate for reforms in the criminal justice system. It's about showing society the transformative power of art and its ability to connect, heal, and inspire change. Activism is an integral part of my journey. I have been actively advocating for the rights of inmates and their families, bringing attention to their struggles and highlighting areas like employment opportunities and family reunification

Q. How is your dance school unique, and how do you welcome diverse students in your dance troupe?

A. I never had any inclination to provide a degree or certificate in dance to my students. But dance has always been a part of me; it brings joy. If I had to take exams, I would never be able to dance. That freedom, that emotion, is what I now share with the inmates, and my other students too. I want all my students to feel the power of dance and how it provides happiness and joy simply by dancing.

Q. Which initiative have you been most proud of as one of your key achievements?

A. I feel my contribution is through dance, and I am interacting with so many people and connecting on many levels not only as a teacher in teaching them steps. I have helped in my humble way around 95 inmates, one of them became very successful and acted in a feature film. My journey has spanned correctional facilities far beyond Kolkata’s Presidency and Alipore Jails, reaching Pondicherry and even the United States. In Los Angeles, I was invited through a local “Shakespeare in Prisons” program, introduced by a former student. There, the inmates affectionately called me “Mama Roy,” responding with open hearts to my fluid movements, just as their counterparts in India had.

Q. Any particular techniques used in dance therapy?

A. The footwork is different from the upper body, which is ballet. So there is modern dance a bit of fusion. I tend to encourage my students to move as a more free flow style. I teach them steps but they are naturally inclined towards some movements and I cheer them on. They have to obey while in my care and there is discipline also when I enter the premises of the correctional home too. 

Q: What significance does freedom and emotion hold in your therapy through dance? 

A: Any freedom. Freedom and emotion are core to the experience of dance. By sharing these with the inmates, I help them unlock their potential, enabling them to express themselves and find liberation through art. By encouraging some of them, I feel proud, and that is my reward, when they call me back to tell me they are Chefs or have a truck business or own small tea stalls. This is their freedom in moving onto the next level, with dance being a medium. Talent is buried under the debris of pain, anger and shame so dancing provides a sense of freedom within those walls for them.

Q: Why is it important to focus on children born to inmates (born inside prison)? 

A: Inmates born in prison deserve opportunities to learn and discover their talents. They should not be denied a chance at personal growth and transformation simply because of their circumstances. They are innocent children of prison inmates. I have made arrangements for them to get admission in certain schools in the suburbs. They need proper education, and I have been advocating for the welfare of these innocent children.

Q: What challenges do inmates and their families face, and how do you address them? 

A: Inmates and their families often lack resources, especially when it comes to employment and family reunification. Through my work, I strive to provide them with the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Q: What is your belief regarding the power of art? 

A: I believe art has the power to transform lives. It can create a more just and equitable society by helping individuals connect with their inner selves and empowering them to envision a better future.