Plays by women directors at Paradip theatre festival

KENDRAPADA: An eight-day national theatre festival featuring only women directors began in the port town of Paradip in Jagatsinghpur on Thursday evening.
The theatre fest is being organized by Canmass. "We have holding a national theatre festival in Paradip for the last 12 years. But this is the first time we are featured plays directed only by women. Three decades ago, there were few women directors.But now, more and more women are working independently. They are directing, writing, and designing sets on their own. The festival will give women directors a platform and opportunity to showcase their talent," said Sriman Mishra, secretary of Canmass in Paradip.
The festival opened with 'Madhabi', a Bengali play presented by drama troupe Nandiker from Kolkata. The play was directed by Swatilekha Sengupta, an actor-turned-director. Swatilekha is a famous Bengali stage actor who has won many awards for her contribution to Indian theatre. She is well known for her role as the lead female protagonist of 'Ghare Baire' by Satyajit Ray in 1985.
'Madhabi' is a play based on a story from Mahabharata and is about Yayati's daughter Madhabi and her beloved Galab, a disciple of sage Vishwamitra. The tale is about how Madhabi goes against all odds to come to the rescue of her husband Galab. The play portrays the sacrifices made by Madhabi as Galab rejects her on flimsy grounds. The play also portrays a society dominated by men and religion which treats woman as a mere commodity.
Sohini Sengupta in the lead role of Madhabi gives an excellent performance. Octogenarian actor and director Rudraprasad Sengupta plays the role of Yayati.
On Friday evening, the Hindi play "Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan" directed by Nadira Zaheer Babbar, was enacted.