This chapter critically examines the evolution of feminist theatre in India from the mid-1980s to 2013, emphasising the interplay between identity construction and patriarchal discourse. It posits that contemporary Indian feminist theatre serves as a transformative site for self-reflexivity, where practitioners such as Anamika Haksar, Anuradha Kapur, Kirti Jain, and Tripurari Sharma navigate the complexities of gender within socio-political contexts. The transition from street theatre, which initially mobilised gender-conscious activism, to proscenium theatre highlights significant ideological shifts and the pedagogical contributions of these practitioners at the National School of Drama. By interrogating the parameters of gender identities and expressions, the work elucidates how theatrical interventions foster broader social and political dialogue, thereby illuminating the intricate relationship between individual agency and structural forces. The analysis underscores a critical juncture in 2013, marked by both the retirement of key feminist figures and rising adversities within institutional frameworks. Critical discourse on justice and order further contextualises this tension, suggesting that the institutionalisation of feminist thought invites a renegotiation of power dynamics. Ultimately, this exploration reveals the potential of theatre as a sphere of resistance and a catalyst for redefining collective identities within the postcolonial Indian landscape.

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Introduction: Contemporary Indian Feminist Theatre—A New Ethico-Aesthetic Paradigm

  • Indu Jain

摘要

This chapter critically examines the evolution of feminist theatre in India from the mid-1980s to 2013, emphasising the interplay between identity construction and patriarchal discourse. It posits that contemporary Indian feminist theatre serves as a transformative site for self-reflexivity, where practitioners such as Anamika Haksar, Anuradha Kapur, Kirti Jain, and Tripurari Sharma navigate the complexities of gender within socio-political contexts. The transition from street theatre, which initially mobilised gender-conscious activism, to proscenium theatre highlights significant ideological shifts and the pedagogical contributions of these practitioners at the National School of Drama. By interrogating the parameters of gender identities and expressions, the work elucidates how theatrical interventions foster broader social and political dialogue, thereby illuminating the intricate relationship between individual agency and structural forces. The analysis underscores a critical juncture in 2013, marked by both the retirement of key feminist figures and rising adversities within institutional frameworks. Critical discourse on justice and order further contextualises this tension, suggesting that the institutionalisation of feminist thought invites a renegotiation of power dynamics. Ultimately, this exploration reveals the potential of theatre as a sphere of resistance and a catalyst for redefining collective identities within the postcolonial Indian landscape.