The shifting perspectives in gender discourse

Gender Bender

2018 looks beyond the regular stories of

feminism

and empowerment

The discourse is on, but the chasm still remains. Matters related to gender identities, equality and empowerment have, of late, found space among the mainstream issues that thinkers and policymakers are concerning themselves with, on a much deeper level. However, some stories still lay on the fringes, unattended. Gender Bender aims at throwing light on these real-life accounts that are articulated through a series of stimulating arts projects. A collaboration between

Sandbox Collective

and

Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller

, this initiative is touted as the country’s first arts festival that focuses on fresh perspectives of gender. The 2018 edition begins today in Bengaluru.

Inclusive and exciting
“We have tried to keep the project as inclusive as possible, with no language or cultural barriers considered during the selection process. There are grantees from Kharagpur, Banaras, Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Hyderabad, as well as the Northeast, while we also have a transgender representation this year. Installations are the focal point of the five-day festival, complete with performances, film screenings, dialogues, illustrated talks, videos, photographs and a plethora of other activities,” explains Shiva Pathak, co-founder of Sandbox Collective. The grantee showcase will comprise a total of nine projects.

Trial room conundrum
Multidisciplinary artist Deepikah R Bhardwaj and anthropologist-storyteller Saakshi Joshi's audio-visual project Trial Room is also an experiential one that comprises zines, poems and an immersive installation. As the name suggests, the installation is about what happens inside a trial room when we are surrounded by mirrors. The project compares a trial room in a legal court to that in a fashion outlet, where people enter to try on an outfit, but often leave with conflicts within, about their own body and appearance, much like being judged in the court. “We are so preoccupied with notions set by our society and the fashion industry that most people, particularly women, end up criticising themselves in their own personal space too, leading to disillusionment in their minds,” says Deepikah.

Beyond the lilts of lavani
Director Savitri Medhatul has been researching on the traditional, narrative dance form of lavani for more than a decade, along with writer-narrator Bhushan Khorgaonkar. To Gender Bender, she brings a performance of music, dance, songs and stories, the narrative of which has a contemporary context. Usually considered adult entertainment for men, there are many different layers of lavani that have barely been documented. Looking beyond the stereotypical portrayal of these artistes, Savitri concentrates on the lesser-known ‘Sangeet Bari’ aspect of the dance form, instead of ‘Tamasha’. “Lavani dancers are strong, independent women who are supporting their families and extended families through this art form. Of course, comedy and ‘shringar’ are the important elements of these performances, but there are also bold and nuanced narratives about menstruation and a host of other subjects that need to be spoken about. Also, not many people know that men too perform lavanis,” explains Savitri, whose troupe includes acclaimed artistes Shakuntala Nagarkar and Akanksha Kadam.

Focussing on sexual minorities
“I am not a professional filmmaker. But written words and visuals somehow felt to be a more appropriate medium to convey the story I want to tell people,” says artiste-activist Santa Khurai. A nupi maanbi (meaning an indigenous Meitei transwoman) from Manipur, Santa has been working on issues related to gender and sexual minorities for the past 15 years. Her documentary film, titled Nawa, revolves around the life of Até, a 13-year-old a Meitei trans-boy. The plot is a reflection of the experiences of non-conforming trans-children of Manipur, who have never received critical attention. “The remote areas of the Northeast are still detached from the other parts of the country in many ways. The film is an attempt to bridge that gap – through stories, be it one of discrimination or empowerment,” Santa explains.

Other highlights

• Filmmaker-writer Paromita Vohra will talk about the triplets that should never be separated – love, sex and feminism
• A talk show, featuring writer-historian Ramachandra Guha
• Jasmine Walk – an intimate performance by Ajithlal Sivalal
• Drawing Home – a visual story by Ita Mehrotra
• Stories of Invisible Labour –an installation by Jinal Sangoi
• Kadak Collective – a curated set of graphic stories
• Her-story – a short film by Nairita Thakurata and Sreecheta Das
• Looking back, Hidimba, Krishna–a short film about the works of Hyderabad’s The Surabhi Theatre by Padmaja Varma, Chenna Kesava, Alekhya, and Hansa Thapliyal
• Bhaya Bhakthi,a large textile-based installation by Pranav Sreerag

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