Saint-poets explore feminism

Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) will present a multi-media, dance theatre production O, directed and conceived by Sohaila Kapur, a journalist, playwright, theatre director, actor and television producer. The play is about two real women saint-poets and their struggle to lead spiritual lives in a patriarchal society.

The two poets, Rabia, a Sufi saint from Iraq and, Karaikkal Ammayar from Tamil Nadu were opposites in nature but battled similar obstacles to attain their spiritual goals. In this sense, they were early feminists. They belonged to two different religions, but went through infinite struggles in their lives, in the end, emerging victorious.
 
O as a symbol encapsulates multiple meanings. It represents shunya or the great nothingness, which has no beginning or end. It is also the primordial egg from which all life emerges. It represents the circle of emotions, the feminine principle and the evocation of orgasm. The play was first staged last year and received very well.

It has been choreographed by Gilles Chuyen and Shilpika Bordoloi and funded by Ministry of Culture. O will be staged at ICCR’s Azad Bhawan Auditorium on May 18 from 7 pm onwards. Passes will be available at the venue.