‘Thozhilkendrathilekku’ (To the workplace) is a play that called for empowerment of women in Kerala in 1948 and then went into oblivion. Sixty-seven years later, the play was re-invented by the dedicated artistes of Nataka Souhrudam, Thrissur and will be staged in Kozhikode on February 28 under the aegis of the Network of Women in Media, India. The play will be staged at New Nalanda Auditorium at 6 p.m.
The play is set in a period close to the staging of V.T. Bhattathirippad’s ‘Adukkalayil ninnu arangathekku’ (from kitchen to the stage). Inspired by the wind of radical movements happening around them, initiated by VT and others, a group of Namboothiri women dared pursue their livelihood and financial independence, which provoked the men of the community. To pursue their mission, this group founded ‘Thozhilkendram’ a commune, at Cheramangalathu Mana, in Lakkidy, near Palakkad, in 1946.
‘Thozhilkendram’ not only gave its members jobs, it also kindled their creativity. They wrote, directed, and performed the play ‘Thozhilkendrathilekku’ in 1948 at their commune, which is considered the first play created by women. After 10-odd performances, the play came to an abrupt end, succumbing to the conditions which it addressed per se.
The play discusses the financial freedom of women and their life outside their homes and hence is relevant even in the contemporary scenario. The re-made play is directed by Geetha Joseph based on a modified script by M.G. Sasi. Shobhana, Indu, Shailaja, Beena, Sindhu Narayanan, Anagha, Swathija Parvathi and Geetha Joseph form the cast. Directed, acted, and managed by women, the play is an effort to reinvent new avenues of creative expression of women through theatre.
The play, given shape to by a group of Namboothiri women in 1948, is relevant even now.