Volume 16, No. 2 – 2016

Articles

• Immortal Nirbhaya – from Victim to Victor Around the Globe by DEEPSIKHA CHATTERJEE AND CLAUDIA ORENSTEIN Posted in: Power, Articles Abstract: Yael Farber takes a real episode of brutal domination and power, hatred and violence, horror and bloodshed, shame and anguish, and creates a stage worthy award winning production that is touring the world. Responding to the infamous gang rape… Continue Reading
• Speaking to the male World: Caste and Performance of Women Playwrights by MADHURI DIXIT Posted in: Performance, Literature & Literary Studies, Culture, Articles Abstract : The nearly 170 years old modern proscenium theatre in Marathi language is considered to be an important cultural identity of the progressive Marathi middle class. Its text- intensive nature renders importance to the playwright who shapes theatrical social… Continue Reading
• Freedom in Performance: Actresses and Creative Agency in the Kutiyattam Theatre Complex by LEAH LOWTHORP Posted in: Performance, Literature & Literary Studies, Culture, Articles Abstract: Widely known among Indian theatre forms for its historical inclusion of female performers, the Kutiyattam theatre complex of Kerala encompasses three related performance forms – Kutiyattam, the enactment of Sanskrit drama with multiple actors and actresses; Chakyar Koothu, men’s… Continue Reading
• Through the Women’s body:Staging Rebellion in the play Purdah by Ismail by MARA MATTA Posted in: Performance, Literature & Literary Studies, Culture, Articles Abstract: This article examines the play Purdah (1993) by the playwright Ismail Mahomed, a Pakistani writer and director born in Johannesburg (29 May 1959) who has been active on the theatre scene in South Africa for the last thirty years.… Continue Reading
• Evolution of the Mahalakeshmi Ladies Drama Group 1989-2015 by KRISTEN RUDISILL Posted in: Performance, History, Culture, Articles Abstract: Bombay Gnanam (Gnanam Balasubramanian) started the all-women Mahalakshmi Ladies Drama Group (MLDG) in 1989. It hasn’t been easy for the women to take time from family responsibilities, but they make the time because the troupe provides a space for… Continue Reading
• Precarious Citizenshhip : Social Absence Versus Performative Presence on Nachni by URMIMALA SARKAR MUNSI Posted in: Performance, Culture, Society, Articles Abstract: “Nachni” women from the eastern part of India, are popularly known in parts of Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand as marginal performers who earn their living through a performing partnership with the Rasik (the male partner) while remaining in a… Continue Reading
• Heredity Abandoned, and Kannagi’s Courageous Decision to act in Special Drama by SUSAN SEIZER Posted in: Performance, Culture, Articles Abstract : Women artists have performed in the Tamil theatre genre known as Special Drama since the early twentieth century, though they have been highly stigmatized for their participation. Based on ethnographic fieldwork with Special Drama artists in the early… Continue Reading
• Staging Gender in Ramlila of Ramnagar by ANITA SINGH Posted in: Performance, Literature & Literary Studies, Culture, Articles Abstract: Interrogation of gendered representations proves particularly salient in Ramlila, (literally “Rama’s play”) which is a performance of the Ramayana epic in a series of scenes that include song, narration, recital and dialogue. This paper will look at gender in… Continue Reading

Interview

• Kalanidhi Narayanan by Asha Coorlawala, Uttara , Geetha Rao and Shyamala Surendran Posted in: Interview Kalanidhi Narayanan (b. 1928) is recognised with the highest of national and artistic awards for her recovery of methods of abhinaya, particularly, padam and javali forms that celebrate human love. She was ferreted out from retirement in 1973 by dance… Continue Reading
• “Theatre is the Constant, the only Constant that I have held on to”: An Interview with Arundhati Nag by APARNA SUNDARAM Posted in: Interview Arundhati Nag (b. 1956) is a well -known theatre personality who has contributed immensely to the Indian stage as an actor, director and most importantly, as the founder of Rangashankara (a dedicated space for theatre in Bangalore). She has had… Continue Reading