Theatre fest to showcase plays by women directors

A women's theatre festival gives more visibility for women artistes to showcase their works, said Rajarajeswari, president of Nireeksha, a women's theatre group in Thiruvananthapuram. She was speaking on the sidelines of the second National Women’s Theatre Festival, on Wednesday. The three day festival was inaugurated by Sri Lankan playwright Ruwanthie de Chickera.A play by fisherwomen marks opening dayWednesday, the opening day of the festival, was marked by the staging of an amateur play, Ith Engala Kadalu, by Valiyathura Fisherwomen collective. The artistes involved in the play are mostly fish sellers. Directed by Jermi Roy, the play talks about their troubles. The play uses a mix of Malayalam and Tamil, a local dialect in itself. "We have three performances by community theatre groups like Rangashree, Fisherwomen's Collective, and one by ASHA workers. Such platforms will provide them an opportunity to enrich their knowledge and in turn provide us a learning experience too," says Rajarajeswari.

'Very few women technicians'
“We have very few women technicians and most of them are in the sound department. Women artistes who do art design are practically non-existent. Even in cities like Mumbai, we have struggled to find female technicians for plays. Hopefully, more platforms and opportunities will make women take up these jobs,” says Rajarajeswari.

Roop Aroop

An evening of theatre cannot change a person : Jyoti Dogra
Jyoti Dogra, who is set to stage her play Maas at the fest, says, "Our play is about conflict with our own bodies, on how we must look and what beauty standards we must meet. It's dealt with in a humorous way. It is a hysteria induced by corporates and we are addressing it.” About the impact of theatre, she says, “I personally do not feel that an evening of theatre can change a person. But it creates a self-awareness in the audience and that's where plays are very relevant." She added, “Theatre’s job is to make you aware of your own patterns and biases. Then you are in a position to decide what to do with it.” About plays by women director's getting equal opportunities, she says "Women should get equal preference in the regular festivals too. Curators are more aware now, and everything including regional plays and plays by women are considered. But there is a long way to go."