March 8 is marked as International Women’s Day focusing on recognizing women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. It is also a day to reflect on atrocities and crimes against women, which is still rampant across the country.
Highlighting such issues is a reading of ‘The Spotlight Monologues’ written by American playwright, author, performer, feminist and activist Eve Ensler (now known as V) at Sunaparanta Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho, Panjim on March 8 at 7 pm. This reading, is based on the added chapter of the 10th edition of the much acclaimed play, ‘The Vagina Monologues’ which is translated into 48 languages and performed in over 140 countries.
‘The Spotlight Monologues’ has soul-cracking and heinous stories of atrocities faced by women and transwomen across the globe. Women face indescribable brutality which robs them not just of basic human dignity, but often of life itself.
This is the second show of this reading after the successful performance at Museum of Goa (MOG), Pilerne, in the month of October.
Speaking about its first performance, the director, Ratnabali Bhattacharjee states, “The response was humbling. Empathy arose, hearts and eyes were heavy, and the audience went through their own journey. One that they said they needed to be aware of.”
The reading is based on the original work without any tweaking, confirms Ratnabali. “Violence has a language of its own that is unfortunately relatable for the audience no matter where they are from,” says Ratnabali. Further adding, “There is a bit in the end which has been added to the show, in the vein of Ensler’s monologues. It is a monologue prepared by the children at Outreach (NGO) in a workshop I conducted with them, based on the American poet Joseph Fasano’s poetry prompts.”
The reading consists of array of artists and well-known names like Kalki Koechlin, Kimmy Katkar Sheorey, Rajyashree Dutt, Arundhati Chattopadhyaya, Antara Bhide, Goa’s popular Drag Queen, Sandy Sal Aura and child artist Fiza Bajewale.
Theatre artist, Arundhati Chattopadhyaya maintained that we need to share such stories of women in order to bring in change. She adds, “These stories and sufferings of these women must be exposed. It is very important to have such intimate honest performances where deep hidden truth is shared. In our own backyards I’ve met women who have faced such abuse whether it is physical or mental and they need support of other women and the communities to change laws to protect them from such abuse. Mindsets towards this violence have to change. It will take years but let’s start now.”
When asked how an art form can bring in social change, Ratnabali opines that art allows us to express our pain, our joys, our life, in a form that touches us deep inside. While quoting artist Pablo Picasso, which she concurs, she stated, “Any form of art is a form of power; it has impact, it can affect change – it can not only move us, it makes us move.”
The performance, ‘The Spotlight Monologues’ at Sunaparanta Goa Centre for the Arts, Altinho, Panjim, on March 8 at 7 pm is an initiative to support Goa Outreach, a charity that strives to create a safe learning environment for underprivileged children. The event is open to all.
