For the Women in Mumbai who haven’t watched it...You’ve missed an experience! And it’s not me who’s saying it..... It’s those women who’ve empathised, cheered it the most and giggled all the way during the play!
Eve Ensler - Take abow!
I’ve just arrived after being stunned, shocked, disturbed but thoroughly entertained by this Masterpiece! I wondered how I would title this review. And I found the most apt one is already used by another review - "Moaning for more"
And yes! That’s your first reaction after having watched this play. Unfortunately Imran Khan and Farham Akthar didn’t turn up and DollyThakore was replaced by someone else (let’s call her Anita). Some in the crowd shouted " I want my money back!". Response - "Let’s decide after the show"
So the play begins.........
The word "Vagina" here is used as a metaphor here for a certain discomfort we all have and have chosen not to talk about. So to break the inhibitions AvantikaAkerkar starts of by asking the crowd to whisper the word and then shout aloud!!!!!!!!! All done with the intention that “Look there is a problem and talk, don’t be afraid"
That part of a women’s body that evokes a certain sense of pleasure, curiosity, hatred, deprivation, mystery, ignorance, love and many more . About how other names have described the “Vagina”. About how words are used to avoid mentioning the word "Vagina".
Sample this -"There’s so much darkness and secrecy surrounding them(Vagina) like the Bermuda Triangle. Nobody ever reports back from there" And we all were in splits….
The idea by the cast of Avantika Akerkar, Sonali Sachdev, Jayati Bhati and Anita is to disturb you on social issues and the Taboo of uttering the word, lest not mentioning it, creates the problem. About each one’s performance - They deserved every bit of the standing ovation that they received!
And it is told in several short stories describing the fate of Women who have quietly chosen to ignore it and pretend that it doesn’t exist. It’s very entertaining to say the least! The play begins with Avantika Akerkar coming in a short skirt. This is to hit back at those distorted nut cases who thought the woman should be blamed for her clothes if she was raped!
I just loved this section! She expresses her desire to wear a skirt because it’s who she is, It’s her "choice" to wear what she wants, her desire to be her. Period. It quickly reminds you of the Mangalore shame and how the "Self Imposed Culture police" decided what women have to do.
The next Monologue is by Sonali Sachdev who plays a Gujarati Women who’s never had an Orgasm rather had an accidental one. And Does she play the part well or what. The story revolves around her Hidden truth, her life where she chooses to not talk about .........????
Ssssshhhhhhh "Vagina??? It’s a dirty word. “ This starts with entertaining doses of her inhibitions but then moves to her discovering that she has cancer and that her uterus will go. And that’s when you think it’s important that we talk.
Other interesting references are about "What if the Vagina talks?”. It would tell you that it’s hates those creations of science that meant to destroy it (metaphor-women). It’ll talk about how insensitive Man has been to it. It’ll talk about the undergarments that were made to please the men rather than serve a purpose to women;……… These sequences are played by all 4 women.
This is just to entertain whilst raising some important issues. Sonali Sachdev also plays a Maharashrian women and narrates her first experience when she was "touched" and how her male counterpart goes about discovering her Vagina. Quite entertaining I must say...
The disturbing facts are of the Rape of women in India which is said to be around 500, 000 and is said to be more than places where systematic torture is used as a means. And it does disturb and send shivers down your spine when you’re told about how Vagina’s were mutilated and ’destroyed’ by certain acts of men - This basically to highlight the extent of the crimes committed.
Avantika Akerkar then plays the role of a child who is abused and ignorant about it. Whose parents are ignorant about it and when she grows older believes that her spending time with a successful corporate woman would be a good influence. But it so happens that the corporate women is out to molest here on the excuse to spend a night with her.
Anita (don’t know her actual name) who replaced Dolly Thakore has done a decent job but the spotlight is stolen by some else and she is....
Jayati Bhatia - Take a Bow lady! (Actually she did in the end) for your performance was the highlight. Why? Because the play ends with different types of Women Moaning - This may not sound pleasant to read but is Outta this world to watch Jayati describing each moan. It is just Hilarious and very creative......Sample this
Short Moan
Semi Moan
Diva Moan
Giggling Moan
Heavy Metal Moan??? Imagine buddy....just imagine it... I can’t describe it. It’s a play that’s meant to be experienced! (Pun Intended)
In a nutshell you’re Entertained. You feel good in the end and not disturbed and you’re left with nothing but appreciation for this cult classic. And yes, I feel more comfortable saying the word “Vagina “. The Idea is to speak up, to disturb you..It is provactive but it’s meant to be that way so that we don’t pretend like the women in the play that the word doesn’t exist.
And yeah no one wanted their money back!!!! This play may not suit all viewers. And if you thought my review was disturbing then please I repeat please skip this play for you might just …..
But please watch it with a woman for there would be many things you’ll not understand :(
Show was played at FAME Raghuleela and Fame Vashi........