Outlook Spotlight

Setu, Boston Based Theatre Group Stages A Hijra Drama And Holds A Panel Discussion On The Global Transgender Community

Subrata Das, the director and SETU’s co-founder, says that “The play appealed to me immediately after I read it, almost three years ago, for several reasons. The content highlights a deep-rooted Indian social issue that I thought should be made known to the people living outside India.

Advertisement

Setu, Boston Based Theatre Group Stages A Hijra Drama And Holds A Panel Discussion On The Global Tra
info_icon

A part of the Indian diaspora settled in the western world has historically been associated with building a bridge between culture and community, art, and activism. For 20 years SETU (Stage Ensemble Theatre Unit, Boston, www.setu.us) has been doing that and more, largely focusing on Indian social issues. This year the world of the transgender community in the west was compared with the grassroot level struggles of the hijra experience through Mahesh Dattani’s work Seven Steps Around the Fire (directed by SETU co-founder Subrata Das).  

The play unfolds as a sociologist and homemaker unwillingly entangles herself in solving the homicide of a member of the Indian Hijra community and in the process, uncovers the plight of the most oppressed section of the Indian society, whose very existence is shrouded with ancient myths and social prejudices. 

Advertisement

Subrata Das, the director and SETU’s co-founder, says that “The play appealed to me immediately after I read it, almost three years ago, for several reasons. The content highlights a deep-rooted Indian social issue that I thought should be made known to the people living outside India. My intention at the same time was to introduce the terms ‘Hijra’ and ‘India’s third-gender’ to the westerners and their plights. A stage play is a very effective way to enhance awareness with a hope to reduce insults and hate crimes targeted towards them.” 

Subrata Das approached Mahesh Dattani for SETU to stage in the Boston area and he immediately agreed. Earlier this year SETU decided to stage the play, along with a relevant panel discussion. The play in last November had a double cast, and all six shows were very well attended. The work will be presented to other forums soon. 

Advertisement

The creative insight for the play came with many important responsibilities. “The subject matter of the play is challenging from the directorial perspective,” Subrata Das says. The director explains how the actors have educated themselves “over a period of many months with the background and lifestyle of the Hijra community.” He adds that “his casting did not include any transgenders, so one of very fundamental instructions to the actors, specifically to the four actors playing hijras, was to feel what it is like to be one of them. The mannerisms and the rest will be there naturally”. 

info_icon
Setu, Boston Based Theatre Group Stages A Hijra Drama And Holds A Panel Discussion On The Global Transgender Community

Tanni Chaudhuri, who portrayed protagonist Uma Rao, says “Theatre is not just an art form to me but advocacy to create awareness, and with the hope that it makes a positive impact on the human condition. Working in Seven Steps is living that artistic dream…” Actor Ketan Dave’s preparation as Hijra Anarkali taught him: "to accept, love and respect people for who they are irrespective of how different they are and whether we are able to understand them."  It was an “ultimate acting test” for Yogita Miharia as Hijra Champa. She lived "outside” of her realm, experiencing emotions that never existed for her. Other casts of the play are, Sumalita Bhuyan, Ganesh Davuluri, Sridhar Pola, Srihas Sampath, Gautam Prabhugaonkar, Bhavesh Sharma, Yogita Miharia, Sugandha Gopal, Guru Anandh, Saurabh Moondhra, Anil Matta, Mahesh Palriwala, and Gitanjali Srivastava. 

Advertisement

The panel was organized by Jayanti Bandyopadhyay, Tanni Chaudhuri, Mukta Munjal, Gitanjali Srivastava, and Dipali Trivedi. According to the moderator of the panel and SETU’s co-founder, Jayanti Bandyopadhyay: “The actual life experiences shared by Anjali and Lana were eye-opening and heart-wrenching.” 

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement