V, formerly Eve Ensler is an American playwright, author, performer, feminist and activist who came into the limelight for her play, ‘The Vagina Monologues’, way back in 1996. Since then, the play that has been revised several times, translated into 48 languages and performed in over 140 countries. On the 10th edition of ‘The Vagina Monologues’, ‘The Spotlight Monologues’ was added by V to highlight the continued abuse against women worldwide.
Women from all corners of the world tell their stories of pain and anguish suffered through mental, emotional and physical abuse. Now, it has reached Goan shores where there will be an exclusive, one time reading of ‘The Spotlight Monologues’ on October 27 at 7 pm at the Museum of Goa, Pilerne. All proceeds of the play will go directly to Goa Outreach, an NGO that works for marginalised children.
Directed by Ratnabali Bhattacharjee and produced by Dipa De Motwane, the cast of ‘The Spotlight Monologues’ includes Antara Bhide, Arundhati Chattopadhyaya, Kalki Koechlin, Kimmy Katkar, Rajyashree Dutt, Sundeep Sal ‘Aura.’ The behind the scene support includes Amit Pandirkar, Bilitis Jolly Sharma, Jasmin Singh, Nupura Hautamaki, Philmogi and Sharada Kerkar.
Ratnabali Bhattacharjee is a theatre actor, director, writer and producer. She informs that nothing has been changed in the script. “These monologues come from deep research done by the playwright, and the bitter-sweetness of it is that it is so universal, whether it be the account of a woman from Islamabad or Japan, or anywhere else for that matter. The violence against women is cruel across the board,” says Ratnabali. “If the audience feels impacted and we get to know that, the show must go on, whether in Goa or elsewhere,” she adds on whether the show will be performed again in Goa or in any other Indian city.
Ratnabali has the opportunity to direct a wonderful mix of people who will be delivering the monologues. “It has been invigorating because I was itching to get my theatre journey started in Goa. The cast is such an eclectic mix and match; it's been a joy directing them. Each and every one of the actors has put so much heart into their monologues. Little Fiza was one of the quieter ones in the workshop I conducted with the girls from Goa Outreach, but she had a quiet confidence that spoke to me. She has stepped up to the plate and is an integral part to the play, as you will see,” she explains.
Kalki Koechlin is a noted actress, writer and director who is known for her versatility in the film and theatre industry. She now calls Goa her home and has been working on different projects from here. She was last seen in the blockbuster hit ‘Gully Boy’ on the big screen but has been active on the theatre scene. Her recent monologue, ‘I’m Okay’ shed light on how a woman’s life changes after motherhood and the challenges she faces. Speaking about the difference between ‘I’m Okay’ and ‘The Spotlight Monologue’, Kalki says, “I’m okay’ was about early motherhood and ‘Spotlight Monologues’ is about violence against women.”
With the love for both theatre and films, Kalki shares, “I think theatre is an actor’s medium and film is a director’s medium, I like the stage better as an actor but I like the pay better in films. Preparing for me is always about repetition, repeat it standing, repeat it sitting, repeat it lying down, get comfortable with the words in your mouth, and let the body remember it rather than the mind. It’s great to be part of something that is tangibly helping bring up a less violent society by protecting and empowering young girls.”
Kimi Sheorey née Katkar is a renowned actress who worked in over 50 Hindi films between 1980s to 1990s. She is now directed by Ratnabali Bhattacharjee for ‘Spotlight Monologues’. “I have been just reading the script first thing in the morning and last thing before I go to bed, trying to understand the character whether first hand or a second hand narrative, which are both my pieces. They are so dark and painful, just trying my best to bring the words on paper to life,” says Kimi about the monologue.
How does she feel working as part of the cast? “I feel honoured to be chosen to be a part of this production, which will help the little children of Goa Outreach in my own small way. Only women can help women in empowering each other, which in turn will help us to build a stronger family and therefore, a better society as a whole.”
Since the spotlight monologues focus on not just women, but also on transgender, queer people too, the cast includes Sandy Sal ‘Aura’ representing the LGBTQIA++ community doing a reading. Sandy says, “My monologue happens to be one of the most intense, overwhelming and shattering ones as I play a part of a trans person as a cisgender man. Rehearsing the monologue leaves me in tears and brings out my own triggers and vulnerability as a gay man. I have been tapping into these feelings and not pushing them under the rug and having conversations through body work and breath work with close ones. Seeing the strength in this vulnerability is what is giving me strength.”
How does he feel being a part of this monologue? “It's a really amazing feeling from auditioning as a queer person to being selected. It is challenging to be around such big names and yet be seen which I feel isn’t the case, but taking what is. Queer people have always been suppressed and not given the exposure they deserve or require. Struggling with exposure in this set up in the main media. The media only covers the big names. While it has been fulfilling it has been challenging to be seen and given the justice towards my talent and work that is put in. Trying to look at the bright side, hope the narrative changes.”
After acting in off-Broadway experimental theatre productions in the United States of America, for over a decade, Arundhati Chattopadhyaya has been guiding young adults towards theatre and visual arts in Goa. She is also a part of the cast for the Spotlight Monologues. She says, “Theatre is a team effort, and each one of us has been working our dialogues keeping in mind the end result which is awareness. This is a great group to work with.”
Antara Bhide is an assistant professor of Performing Arts at GVM's College of Education, Ponda. With her wide experience of teaching performing arts at various educational institutes including Goa University and MIT ADT University Pune, Antara is enjoying the company of theatre greats at the rehearsals. “Preparing for the monologue under Ratnabali’s able guidance has been a beautiful journey. I’ve had many learning opportunities during this project, and having met such kind and warm people is definitely the best part of it,” says Antara.
“This is such a powerful script, it needs to be read over and over again. The first reading takes your breath away. Then you calm down and start thinking about the piece. It needs a nuanced approach because as an actor, you need to understand that you cannot beat the audience over the head with this message. This is the balance that is tough and needs a lot of thought. I did a lot of work on my pieces on my own with guidance from Ratnabali. Then, the group came together and we fed off each other’s energies to bring the performance together,” says Rajyashree Dutt, an award winning Indian actress.
She further adds, “There is so much wrong in the world and women everywhere face such dreadful violence. When you think about it, you feel helpless. What can you do? You can create more awareness of this problem which, when you think about it, affects all of us. This play is so powerful, I hope that by presenting it to our audience in Goa, we will have added another drop of awareness to the ocean that is needed.”
Through the performance, the cast and crew will be supporting Goa Outreach, an NGO, started by Rob Lyon nearly two decades back in Goa, when he was on a visit from the UK. Though initially registered as a charitable trust in the UK, it has exclusively been working in Goa with children from the poorer sections operating from Mapusa.
Goa Outreach is creating future leaders through empowered and independent women and strong, courageous men, whose fortunes will be based on their ability and integrity. The organization has already created role models from amongst those whom they have encouraged and supported over the years. Some are Trustees of the organization today taking their community goals forward. To lend a voice to the cherished goals held by Goa Outreach, this group of empowered, independent, locally based women have decided to stage the ‘Spotlight Monologues’ in the shared belief that ‘education and prevention is better than a cure.’