June 21, 2023
2 mins read

The rebellion play brings more questions than answers

Written by a young Gujarat-based writer Chaitali Das, the play opens up with a conversation around masturbation and why it’s alright if women want to experience desire and pleasure. A reference to a vibrator in a play in Gujarat – is worth noting…reports Janhvi Sonaiya

While Gujarat was battling with one of the worst cyclones this week, there was another wave too – this one was of feminism.

At the experimental theatre space Prayogshala in Ahmedabad, a bunch of young girls could be seen in loose black clothes, without makeup, dancing to Bollywood songs on unchoreographed steps – everything liberating that a woman would do in her room; they were doing it on stage.

In Gujarat, people cannot afford to take a stand – be it political or feminist, because no one wants to do anything that might disturb his/her dhandha, business. Here, ‘Voh Ladkiyon Wala Natak’ comes as a breath of fresh air. The all-woman, non-linear piece of theatre (rebellion actually) is centred around women and their take on love, lust, anger, frustration and various other emotions. This Gujarat-based production has also performed at Thespo Theatre Festival, Mumbai.

Written by a young Gujarat-based writer Chaitali Das, the play opens up with a conversation around masturbation and why it’s alright if women want to experience desire and pleasure. A reference to a vibrator in a play in Gujarat – is worth noting.

In another scene, a youngster Durga (a reference to the goddess) is seen fighting against Mahishasura but in the middle of the yuddha (war) — Durga gets a phone call from her family (Lord Shiva) about where the milk is? What’s the OTP? And who will bring their little Ganesha home? With humour, they address the glorification done around women and multitasking.

One of the leading characters in the play, Kamala, is played by Preeti Das. She is Laadli awardee journalist, now, an academician, who talks about feminism through comedy and theatre.

Das said, “These young girls were tired of the male narrative in theatre and in life in general and therefore, they came up with their side of the story.” Other team members include Teertha, Anannya, Aayushi, Neha, Lipi, Yashi, Kanksha, Chaitali, Snigdha and Paridhi.

There are moments in the play where one could feel like they said out loud, what you have been feeling and experiencing as a woman for so long. After all, the idea of suppression is universal. At the end of the play, the women come together and talk and talk…and a character says “Ladkiya to sirf baate kar sakti hain, nahi!” (Women can only talk, right!?) With this, the houseful audience gave thundering applause.

The end brings more questions than answers. Can violence ever be called love? As a housewife, what is my purpose in this relationship? Is it alright if women don’t meet the beauty standards set for them?

The play gives the feel-good factor of breakfast, not the satisfaction of lunch. But the silver lining is, some at least scratched the surface in a state where everyone else is too scared of taking a stand – politically or otherwise.

ALSO READ-Vibgyor launches its first theatre festival

Previous Story

Reliance adds another feather to its cap

Next Story

India, France & Australia join forces on maritime security

Latest from LITE BLOGS

Netaji’s Ashes Await Return Home

Today, 78 years after India gained independence in 1947, Bose remains physically separated from the country he fought to free. The Indian government has in the past considered repatriating his remains, but

Sweet Traditions Mark Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami, the joyous festival marking the birth of Lord Krishna, is one of the most cherished celebrations across India and beyond. Falling in the month of Bhadrapada (August–September) on the Ashtami tithi

Stories That Teach Life

Recognised as one of the few age-appropriate resources in this area, Earn, Save, Invest has been praised by educators and parents for sparking early conversations about money—an often-neglected subject in childhood learning As

Jashanmal Launches Back-to-School

Founded in 1919 by Rao Sahib Jashanmal in Basra, Iraq, Jashanmal Group has over a century of retail excellence. Headquartered in Dubai, the Group operates across the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and

India’s Tourism Sector Booms

In 2023, Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs) rose by 44.98 per cent year-on-year to 2.5 billion. Uttar Pradesh led the tally with 478.53 million visits, followed by Tamil Nadu at 286.01 million India’s
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Ad, theatre veteran Burjor Patel passes away

In his long career spanning over six decades in the

NCPA Hosts Youth Theatre Extravaganza

The NCPA Summer Fiesta is a longstanding tradition that offers