Mental health, equality core of feminist theatre spaces: Artists

BENGALURU: A therapist on-board, a space that is physically, mentally, and emotionally safe for women and one free from bullying – these are some of the aspects of

feminist

theatre spaces that are gradually growing in the city.

The aspects were discussed in detail by female theatre practitioners during a panel discussion - ‘Performing Gender - Women in Contemporary Indian Theatre’. It was organised by the Museum of Art & Photography (MAP) in collaboration with Bangalore International Centre on Saturday. It was a part of MAP's ‘Women in Art and Culture series.’

The experts said a lack of feminist gaze limits most of the experiences in theatre. However, some of the feminist theatre spaces today have and others are considering having therapists to help teams cope with intense subjects and emotions, they added.

Yuki

Ellias,

Actor

, Theatre Director and Corporate Coach said that while playing a gender in a play, she looks at the spirit of the character and not just the body. “It is more than just gender, it is an exploration of that complex emotions,” she said adding how a male director had asked her to ‘walk more like a woman.’

“I was like, will you tell me – a woman – how to walk more like a woman?” she quipped, adding that she will not be working with a lot of others like this, and this kind of conscious decision is helping women create new works.


Yuki says that she has witnessed bullying, hierarchy, and sexism, in theatre groups, and it helped her in the decision to create a better space. “Even some people who are supposedly cool and hip were actually toxic, classist and sexist. I have even seen women who are classists. How we work is just as important as what we do. Now, I want to create a space that is a lot more equal, healthy – mentally, physically, and emotionally,” she says adding that she is alarmed at the way some people run their rehearsals and shows.

Deepika Arwind

, Playwright, Director & Performer says that feminists are creating spaces as a response to such incidents. “We are a part of a growing tribe of women, call us fringe or whatever. The dated theatre allowed us little in terms of imagination and we were not in conversation with anything around the globe,” she says adding that the feminist theatre space is a work in progress.

Rashmi Ravikumar, Theatre Director and Facilitator said that the best thing about a feminist rehearsal room is that there is no hierarchy and is open to ideas. “Male directors have told me that if I have so many ideas, I should go direct my own play. So, that is what I did,” she grins.

Sharanya

Ramprakash, Theatre Practitioner & Playwright said that working with a feminist director is different even in the way the whole thing is structured. “Not just the work, but even the director’s process is feminist. There are negotiation and support throughout,” she says reminiscing about her play ‘I am not here,’ where she worked with Ronita Mookerji. “When we went to rehearsal, we worked out to

Punjabi Music

for an hour,” she says.


Sharanya adds that she is aware of the politics of rehearsal rooms and constantly is working to maintain the vigour while ensuring she is empathetic to her colleagues.

‘Feminism, longest peaceful human rights movement’


The panellists mentioned the misconstruction of feminism.

Lekha Naidu, Theatre Practitioner & Consulting Drifter, who was moderating the talk, mentioned an incident where a person issued a caution - “He said -’ Swalpa careful aagi iri madam, eevaru yella feminists avaru (Please be careful madam, these are all feminists).”

This evoked laughter in the participants. Sharanya added: “Feminist is the largest and longest-running peaceful human rights movement. I do not know why there must be fear. This is the most loving and peaceful movement in the world.”