Eight survivors of sexual and caste-based violence found themselves through the art of theater
Eight survivors of sexual and caste-based violence found themselves through the art of theater
The women of the Frida Theater Group at the performance of their first play clearly voiced the same sentiment – identifying themselves.
play, Here I am: 8 women, one bodyWhich took place in Bengaluru from October 14 to 18, is an expression of the body that has endured the scars of caste and sexual violence.
Hailing from different districts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the eight actors used the stage to weave a story that focused not only on their traumas but also their innermost desires, secrets, confessions and dreams.
The youngest age of the inter-generational group is currently 18 years old. By being a part of this play, she has found a place where she can share her memories and experiences that had not found a voice in her family or the community at large.
“I didn’t have a voice before doing this play. Performing on stage and letting the audience see our stories has made me feel myself and I have something to say too,” she says.
Bringing up the personal experiences of all eight actors from childhood and youth to adulthood, the play is an eclectic display of their lives free from experiences of violence and discrimination.
“Working on cases of sexual violence, we found that the body is often missing from the discourse. There is little or no room for sharing memories with family or community, which spread beyond the bounds of the law after violence. The play was an attempt to change the perception surrounding the identity of a ‘survivor’,” says Angarika Guha, who works as a researcher on gender, caste and labor at Mara, a Bengaluru-based media and arts group.
Survivors of sexual and caste-based violence turn to theatre. , photo credit: Mara/Angarika Guha
Members of the collective helped eight women come together and conceptualize the play. With a history of nearly six years, in 2021, the members of Mara were inspired to perform a play for survivors based on their stories and experiences. take a look, As a result, he invited survivors to use the theater as a means of expression and catharsis and performed a play that told his story on their own terms.
After nine months of hard work, Frida Theater Group is ready to perform i be here,
“Workshops helped me listen to my body while creating plays. I feel like every part of it has come to life. I was not comfortable touching before, but now I feel free to hug people and even perform in front of people, ”says one of the oldest actors of the group.
talking about the struggle to bring i be here As for Bengaluru, she says, “The eight of us faced many hurdles while embarking on this journey. From overcoming our own fears, we persevered when one of us faced obstacles. Now we want to show the world what we have achieved.”
The play premiered on 10 September in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, followed by Mara’s October Jam in Bengaluru.