KOCHI: Women, while being an integral part of the performance space, are not still on an equal footing with their male counterparts in several facets of theatrical practice.
Lokadharmi Theatre Research and Performance Centre is taking the issue head-on with a three-day United States India Education Foundation (UNIEF) - sponsored round table on ‘Gender and Theatre’, which got under way at the centre’s Natakaveedu at Nayarambalam on the outskirts of Ernakulam on Friday. Nearly 30 persons from different walks of life, from academics to eminent theatre activists, classical art practitioners, media persons, students, and folk artistes, are attending the round table which seeks to explore the role of women in performing spaces.
“The discussions will be about the history of women in performance; gender-specific issues and problems of women in performance; the scenario of work and working atmosphere; social / cultural / family pressures, and sharing of experiences and expectations; and need, scope, and future of women performing,” A. Chandradasan, director of Lokadharmi, said in a note.