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Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Signs & stories in Bengaluru: A revolution is under way in Cubbon Park's quiet corners
Bengaluru: Amid the rustling leaves and bird calls during calm weekend mornings inside Cubbon Park, a quiet revolution is under way — one that doesn't need spoken words to be powerful. Gathered on the grass with books on their laps and stories in their hearts, a group of hearing-impaired individuals meets, not just to read, but to feel, share, and heal. They call it the Deaf Bookwave. This isn't a typical book club with rushed monologues or loud debates. Instead, the conversations here unfold in expressive gestures, in shared glances, and in the warm, invisible thread of community that connects hearing-impaired individuals across a noisy city. The idea was sparked by 23-year-old Parmeet Singh, a soft-spoken but determined psychology and English literature student. Deaf since birth, Parmeet lived in Delhi, Chennai, Uttarakhand, and Hyderabad, before finally finding a home and purpose in the tech capital. On March 31 this year, he launched Deaf Bookwave and two weeks later, the first meeting was held under the shade of Cubbon Park's giant raintrees. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru "Each meeting isn't just about discussing books," Parmeet explained. "It's about emotional sharing, deaf-led storytelling, and community bonding. People bring any book they like, and then share their stories in Indian Sign Language (ISL). The group listens — not with ears, but with eyes and hearts." Since April, the group has held four meets — three in Bengaluru and one in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The next one? In Delhi. The movement is slowly rippling across cities, powered not by promotion, but by word of hand. At the most recent Cubbon Park session, 28 deaf readers gathered — the largest turnout yet. The books they discussed: Helen Keller: Life Story, The Little Book of Confidence, and Dear Stranger, I Know How You Feel. These weren't just titles, they were emotional mirrors for them. Nithin Gowda, a participant, shared how, despite his struggles with reading, ISL explanations opened up the text to him. "I experienced so many thoughts and emotions. It was a really great experience," he signed with a smile. For Vaishnavi, another participant, the impact was even deeper. "In my past, I didn't really understand what was right or wrong. But during the Deaf Bookwave session, they discussed life through books. That really changed me." Every meeting is part storytelling circle, part group therapy, and part celebration. The rules are simple: Bring any book you love, sign your story, and listen — not with ears, but with empathy. "There's something magical that happens when deaf people come together in a space where they feel safe and understood," Parmeet said. "At the end of one session, a participant told me, 'My eyes are open now.' That moved me deeply. " At a time when libraries and classrooms rarely cater to the hearing-impaired community, Deaf Bookwave is turning book reading into a shared and visual experience for the participants. Parmeet plans to take Deaf Bookwave to other parts of the country. "There are so many deaf individuals out there who are intelligent, thoughtful, and full of emotion, but they don't have spaces to express themselves. I want to change that." — Prathikaa Shastry
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ludhiana boy shines bright in New York's theatre circuit
Ludhiana based actor, Parmeet Singh has found his feet as a theatre artist and is now well-entrenched in the New York theatre scene. 'I squeeze the abundance of artistic opportunities that the city offers,' says Parmeet about his stint in NY's theatre circuit. Besides leading roles, he also due to his commercial bookings. He booked more than 9 projects in less than eight months after graduation. Hailing from humble beginnings, this Punjabi boy grew up moving across India as his father was in Air Force and later graduated from National School of Drama (TIE Branch), which boasts legendary alumni like Naseeruddin Shah, Anupam Kher, and Om Puri. Continuing his training with mentors in India, including award-winning actor and director Saurabh Saraswat , Parmeet started young when he played lead roles in theatrical productions at school and was appointed head of co-curricular activities. 'My goal is to nurture my artistry as a whole,' he says, adding, "to have abundant discoveries with limitless exploration and complete surrender.' His body of work spans both classical Western theatre and contemporary Indian productions such as Lao Tzu – The Old Master and Rangbel, performed under Ministry of Culture and the National School of Drama in India. After his contract with the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, Parmeet landed a leading role in Sense And Sensibility at the Hudson Classical Theater Company wherein he showcases his multifarious skills of singing, sword fighting, and a stage presence as he essays a villainous and multidimensional character directed by Nicholas.
