Vagina Monologues 

 

A symphony of women's pains, pleasures, agony and despair  

Abhilasha Rayamajhi 

A theater performance was about to begin and there was an air of excitement among the audience who were waiting outside the hall. The audience for this show was different; old men in their sixties, young college students, women, foreigners and people from various walks of life were all gathered to witness Vagina Monologues 3.0 at Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Bhrikutimandap on March 2.

Vagina Monologues was initiated by American playwright, performer, activist and feminist. In Nepal Akanchha Karki and Gunjan Dixit have facilitated and directed the performance. This is the third year of celebrating the stories of the most vital yet rarely talked about female part 'Vagina' in Nepal.

The entire show encompasses a wide array of emotions from humor to grief, stories of pain, loss, harassment and abuse as well as tales of pleasure, love and lust. The one and half hour of the drama is entertaining, informative, engaging and empowering.

14 phenomenal women dressed in powerful shades of black and pink are seated on the stage. The light is dim so the audience cannot see them clearly yet their presence can be distinguished. Initially three of them take the center stage and introduce their art stating that in the process of developing the show 200 women and girls have been interviewed regarding their views on sex, relationships, abuse and violence. 

Sarita Giri, a popular theatre artist is immersed in her role of a woman who never had an orgasm and expresses how relaxed she feels when someone wants to know about her vagina.  

An actor beautifully draped in pink sari tells that if you love your vagina you must also accept your pubic hair. She shares how her husband made her shave her pubic hair and then after that she felt quite disconnected to it as it looked puffed and swollen to her.

Then there are also some facts like "The clitoris is the only organ in our body with 8,000 nerve fibers solely designed for pleasure" that are shared in between the stories.

The performance was not just related to women's struggles and pleasures but violence faced by transgender women as well. 

A monologue from a woman who had a surprisingly unique experience with a man who seemed quite ordinary calmed down the tensed environment. Her act was fresh and like a cool breeze near a flowing river. 

Well known theater artist Pashupati Rai is remarkable and humorous throughout her performance. She plays the role of a woman who is quite angry because of the way vaginas are treated. In the opening of the drama she spreads laughter among the audience by listing the names vaginas are given along with other artists. 

After the humor, the stories of sexual violence at the time of war, child sexual abuse and domestic violence take center stage. These stories were an ode to the women who were courageous enough to speak up against violence and abuse. I could hear gasps and sighs in the silence of that dark hall as I wept listening to the heart wrenching experiences of an 8 month pregnant woman who was beaten up and tortured by her criminal husband.

To lighten up the mood of the audience appeared a sensual lady who made the audience say 'cunt' and took our breath through her act. 

Nazir Hussain ends the play by saying, "May I be a man whose confidence comes from the depth of my giving, who understands that vulnerability is my greatest strength…."

Overall the performance was a symphony of powerful and intimate stories of women. This is one powerful act that can make us laugh one moment and weep the next. Apart from a few technical glitches the show was a hit. 

To come out of the shell and discuss sexuality in Nepali society is quite bold and inspiring. Vagina Monologues has definitely kindled a conversation about the stigma attached with women's sexuality.  

Words from the actors and director

Vijaya Karki, shares, "Vagina Monologues is a celebration of sexuality. We want more male members to connect to it and accept it. "

Pashupati Rai, says, "This is my second year doing Vagina Monologues. Initially I felt quite awkward to openly discuss about women issues. "She adds, "But now I feel quite comfortable and my inner thought towards the feminine has strengthened. I feel more confident as a person after working on this play. "  

Pashupati Rai

"Simply talking about women's sexuality is also a taboo in our society. Initially when we started this project we faced a lot of controversies and online harassments," says Akanchha Karki, director of Vagina Monologues in Nepal. She recalls that many had tried to repress their voices and questioned their motives behind Vagina Monologues. However, they were persistent on their efforts and gradually more people started accepting their work. Her message to women and girls through this play is, "Don't be silent and speak up when violence happens."   

Akanchha Karki

If you haven't yet watched Vagina Monologues then there is no question of missing it this time. The show will be on till March 6 at Nepal Tourism Board, 5 pm (Saturday 1 pm as well). On March 8, the venue is Evoke Café and Bistro at 6

 pm.  

With actors Loonibha Tuladhar and Nazir Hussain

Cast

Gunjan Dixit

Sarita Giri

Renuka Karki

Kenipa Singh

Pashupati Rai

Srijana Subba

Nisha Karki

Shanti Giri

Smitaa Rajajram

Vijaya Karki

Binita Gurung

Loonibha Tuladhar

Srijana Adhikari

Akanchha Karki

Set Collaboration

Kala Limbu, Basun Rai

Poster Design

Ujala Shrestha

Photography

Niva Rajbangshi, Pramin Manandhar

Logistics

Che Shankar, Sudam C.K., Prathana Dixit

Sound Operator

Anup Neupane

Stage Manager

Anuja Adhikari

Technical Manager

Ingi Hopa Koinch Sunuwar

Playwright

Eve Ensler

Translation/Adaptation

Prateeksha Kattel, Sabhyata Timsina,Akanchha Karki and Gunjan Dixit

Facilitation/Direction

Akanchha Karki and Gunjan Dixit