Staging complex reality with a dash of humour!

Nritya Theatre Ensemble recently presented, '#Feminist', an original play in Hindi written and directed by Nitin Mane, Professor of acting at Annapurna College of Film and Media.

"The play '#Feminist' portrays a complex reality with a serving of humour. Rangasthalam Actors Studio in association with Nritya Ensemble Theatre has put this thought-provoking play on the stage," says Nitin.

"Freedom does not come easy to her. A subservient woman is portrayed to be the ideal woman. Violation is her cross to bear. Her sexuality is for the pleasure of others, not hers.

An independent woman is treated as a threat to the man's pride. Her role as an intellectually and economically independent being is always questioned," he adds.

Nitin Mane says, "Students came to me asking for a script for a skit they wanted to perform in a college event. I wrote it and many loved the idea as well as the humorous approach.

The narration of the plot was putting smiles on their faces and it encouraged me to proceed further and develop it into a well fleshed out full-length script."

The play aims to discuss the current discourse of feminism in India. "How it affects women of different socio-economic strata? This year's International Women's Day theme is 'Balance for better' and very interestingly the play also vouches for a gender-balanced society."

"It revolves around the five characters, three women and two men. They belong to different socio-economic strata. They have completely different views on everything including the and the conflict is creating due to their various interests," adds Nitin.