Thoda dhyan se

21 MARCH

PRIVATE HOME, DELHI

On a Monday night in a living room in Vasant Kunj, the Delhi-based theatre artist Mallika Taneja performed her original one-woman show, Thoda Dhyan Se, for a private audience of about 30 people. Taneja walked onstage naked, affecting an ironically lighthearted tone to proclaim: “You have to be a little careful. You know, na, times are bad. Zamaana kharaab hai. When you know that times are bad, just be a little careful!” In the first act, which lasted about 15 minutes, Taneja delivered a searing monologue in this vein, satirising the patronising advice women are often given on how to remain safe from violence. As she spoke, she put on articles of clothing until she was covered in a bulging tangle of layers. The play’s second act stood in stark contrast to this dramatisation, with Taneja sitting in a chair before the audience, no longer in character, leading an open discussion about topics such as sexual assault, feminism and privilege. Many audience members contributed by sharing their personal experiences.

- Ella Weisser