A woman is like a wolf” says Yasmin Jasdanwala, a Bangalore based actor who returned to the City recently. Yasmin is performing a play called ‘La Loba’ (Wolf Woman) directed by her husband Jairo Vergara Fruto. Metrolife caught up with this couple in an animated discussion of their life in theatre and their move back to India from Columbia.
“Columbia is a great place to live in. In the town we lived in, I was the only Indian. It was definitely a different experience,” says Yasmin.
“It is a very a young country and the culture is actually just being formed. Compared to a country like India which is deeply rooted in religion and ancient traditions, Columbia isn’t influenced by either. It is a great place to live in, but due to great political unrest it isn’t a very safe place. A few of my friends were also killed, so we decided to move to India,” says Jairo.

About the play
Their play, ‘La Loba’ is a solo performance by Yasmin, “The play has been influenced by a book called ‘Women Who Run with the Wolves’. I loved the book and the parallel that the author draws between a wolf and a woman. A woman is actually like a wolf. Because a wolf lives in the wild, it can live by its instincts. Life for a woman is about how she can retain those instincts within her while living in society which is controlling.”
And what was it like working with her husband?  “Terrible. I find it very difficult to work with this man (pointing to Jairo). He makes me work from 4 am to 8 pm everyday. I find it easier to work with Indian directors that with him because they are more relaxed.” says a smiling Yasmin.
On theatre in India, says Jairo, “In Columbia people are very open to experimental theatre. Whereas here, most people don’t want too much change. They want to work with what they are comfortable with. I also think that nowadays theatre is more commercial.
In comparison, I think Japan is more flexible because they are open to new ideas. And I think they have found a great balance between their ancient culture and a new one. India still needs to evolve in this aspect.”
Adds Yasmin,  “Theatre should be about making the audience question, reflect, debate and discuss issues and should take them through various emotions. It involves a lot of research and work. There aren’t many people around that ‘live’ theatre. Most of them are involved in it part-time.” 
But the reason why they chose Bangalore is not just because it is Yasmin’s hometown but because of its buzzing theatre circuit. “Bangalore is very supportive of theatre and is a great place for any theatre person to work in” says Jairo.
Their play, ‘La Loba’ a multi lingual (mainly English) and will be performed at Active Canvas which is at 10th ‘A’ Main, Ashoka Pillar, Jayanagar 1st Block.
Tickets are priced at Rs 100. The play is for those above the age of 15 years only. For details and tickets call Active Canvas at 41609122 or 9980129768.