theatre Bitter Truth

INDIA TODAY February 2, 2004
Your week ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Delhi When author Pinki Virani was writing her book Bitter Chocolate, documenting child sexual abuse (CSA) across India, she says she did not worry about the reactions. "I just wrote it- that was my dharma." She asserts. Now, three years later, when theatre actor Lushin Dubey performed a solo play based on the book, directed by Arvind Gaur, the audience at the India Habitat Centre, spellbound through the act, couldn't stop clapping at the end.

An adulatory response to the theatrical interpretation of a subject which in real life leads to comprisal silence shows that people are not averse to discussing taboo social issues. Dubey portrayed eight powerful roles including those of shattered victims - a disbelieving mother, a senile grandfather, a cynical policeman, a manipulative lawyer, a lamenting neighbourhood woman and a deceptive guru who turns abuser. As she switched from one role to another, changing costumes, expression and emotions, the entire spectrum of awkward sentiments that surround CSA was unravelled through the compelling story. She was moving in most roles, especially that of the mother who does not believe her daughter's pained confession about being a victim of her brother's sexual whims. " I am a true believer in feeling, not in performance." says Dubey. She adds that the only way to make people aware about CSA is to talk about it as loudly as possible. These strong feelings got a bit drowned in the insipid multimedia screen that was used to convey facts, figures and case studies.

Gaur, Dubey and the team plan to Take Bitter Chocolate to hospitals, schools and colleges in various Indian cities and abroad from February 14 onwards. Theatre will initiate this difficult dialogue among the abused, the abusers, parents, teachers and importantly, with the disbelievers.
By Shefalee Vasudeva