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Being in the dark is not equal to living in darkness. The first refers to a state of ignorance and evil, while the latter is merely living unguided by light.We haver never really understood how our brain may function when it’s not provided with complete info. A full visual aid from the eyes makes it possible to move, calculate the next steps and proceed with the navigation. What if this sensory information is suddenly turned off? A small power cut at home and you find yourself struggling to move ahead. You have lived there for several years and yet you tend to grapple. This may not even be 100% dark. You always have a dim streak of moonlight, giving you that extra bit of help you need to move ahead.
This is not quite the same as moving ahead with eyes closed. When you close your eyes, you shut off all kinds of illumination and you need to now activate a different sensory perception for any kind of activity. Your hands feel the object ahead of you, it’s what it might be. You might want to either hold it to move ahead or even push it aside. It just gets a whole lot difficult, when its in an area that you have never been used to.
Ever wondered, what goes on inside a visually disabled person? How is their world different from ours? What guides them and how do they survive in a state of permanent darkness? Managing their way even through busy roads, avoiding manholes and going back home with a little help can truly be a commendable thing.
Dialogues in the Dark – An experiential Activity
Dialogue in the Dark aims to bring out just that. You enter a state of complete darkness or ‘pitch dark’ as you may colloquially call it. It is so dark that you may initially find a little strain on the eye. Of course it all lasts for just 2 minutes. Once you are past that , the brain gets to accept and adjusts based on your surroundings. A visually challenged person takes you around the floor, that has several activities lined up in front of you. Be it crossing a dangling bridge or playing blind cricket or even trying to eat a mini lunch, this is an experience you should definitely try out. There are other interesting activities as well ,which I would let you discover than me describing it.
Food in the Dark Experience
Coming to the food, it’s not often you may have eaten in complete darkness. Of course most restaurants have dim lighting , providing a “candle light” experience. But eating something in complete darkness can be a whole different ballgame. In front of you is placed a hot tiffin carrier, which you get to dismantle, identify the food items and relish them purely based on taste. I was served with a Haryali Paneer Tikka, Gobi 65, Roti and Kashmiri Pulao. The food was great and probably the first time I actually got to feel the real taste, without the imagery shrouding it.
Experience the Darkness Rising
This is a very unique experience and it definitely can be an eye opener for a lot of you. Visually you may have been enticed to a lot of things in life. But for the first time, you are now treated to a delightful experience which you actually get to feel from inside.Naturally given the darkness, don’t expect any pictures . Additionally, you are not allowed to carry your electronic devices including mobile phones inside or any light emitting devices to retain the darkness.
I was invited to a bloggers meet by Dialogues in Dark through Chennai Bloggers Club and has definitely given me a memorable, unforgettable experience and hence my above review.
Location of Dialogue in Dark : The restaurant is located at the 3rd floor of Express Avenue Mall, Chennai (opposite to Escape Cinemas). The walking experience is rouhgly 45 minutes while the dining is another 50 minutes. Dialogue in the Dark has been present worldwide in 43 countries in 130 cities visited by 10 million visitors. In India, Dialogue in the Dark is present in Hyderabad, Bangalore & Chennai.
