In October, 2011, Andhra Pradesh native Akram Firoz set out to cycle around India. All he had was Rs.300 and a mind bursting with scripts and plays.

“Ever since I met a man during the second year of my Pre University course who shared his experience of walking across the world with me, I have been dreaming about walking across the villages of India. But I never had the courage to step out of my comfort zone. One day I felt that I should live to fulfil my dreams rather than walking the same path which any 22 year old guy can do. That’s how I set out to pursue my dreams.”

“Today I have completed 275 days on my cycle. All these days have been an empowering and enriching experience. My passion- theatre - has been accompanying me on my journey and inspires me to explore more,” smiled Firoz.

In these 275 days, Firoz has cycled through many undiscovered areas of South India. He has seen and enjoyed the beauty of rural India and has tried to understand its folk arts.

“I have cycled through Kurnool, Mehboobnagar, Chikballapur, Anantpur and many other villages in the south. Initially it was just an expedition for me. But now I realize that the pulse of our country lies in our villages. We have a lot to absorb from their innocence. I am a contemporary theatre artist. I have a lot to learn from the folklores and folk arts of our country.”

According to this enthusiastic globetrotter, discovering the unseen areas of his country would help him to discover himself better.

“It has been a journey of self-discovery. I learnt to respect myself and others more. Now I know the value of helping a stranger, I know the value of food, I can feel the pain of others and their miseries and the good, bad and sad stories around me.”