Theatre is increasingly gaining recognition as a therapeutic tool, and Chennai has seen other efforts such as the Playback Theatre, and workshops by Mangai and Srijith that have explored this concept in the queer/trans context.

To learn more about the facilitator and the concept, please view a presentation here.

The theatre workshop will be held on Sunday May 6, 2018, from 3 pm to 7 pm. A total of 25 participants will be enrolled and must register before-hand. Participation is free, through donations to help defray costs of venue are welcome.

To sign up, please enter your details in the form at
https://tinyurl.com/lgbtiqa-theatre-chennai-may6

For more information, mail Brindaa c/o orinam.net@gmail.com.

Special instructions for participants: Please wear loose-fitting comfortable clothes in which you can move. We suggest not wearing jeans, sarees or any tight attire.

*Chennai Queer Cafe is a social and support space for queer women in Chennai.

Color of Trans: seven episodes of trans experience

7 pm Sept 27-28, 2014 (Saturday and Sunday)
Spaces, 1 Elliots Beach Road, Besant Nagar

Panmai is the upcoming theatre group founded by Living Smile Vidya, Angel Glady and Gee Imaan Semmalar.

‘Color of Trans’, Panmai’s debut production, is devised by Living Smile Vidya (author of ‘I am Vidya’ and Charles Wallace Fellow of the London International School of Peforming Arts), Vinothini Vaidyanathan (Actor, Theatre Maker) and Angel Glad (Cine-actor, performer with Tuida Theatre Group, South Korea).

“We are looking for actors from within the LGBT community and those outside of it, who are willing to engage with the proposed theme of this production in a sensitive, thoughtful manner. If this is the opportunity that you have been waiting for, we welcome you to participate in auditions led by YosupBae, Artistic Director, Performance Group Tuida and his team in Chennai and Bangalore.”

The producers have asked Orinam if they could help identify people interested in auditioning for the following play. If you are, please email orinamwebber@gmail.com (or use the online form) sending us your
– name
– phone number
– email (if available) and
– nature of experience in theatre (if any)
by July 31, 2013

Please write ‘Bahuchara Mata auditions’ in the subject line. We will compile and share a consolidated list with the producers at InkoCentre by Aug 2.

Bahuchara Mata: The Third Box is a commissioned Indo-Korean theatre collaboration that explores a story (or stories) of sexual identity inspired by Indian mythology. The production aims to be a journey of discovery, linking traditional and contemporary performance traditions. Through strong physicality the performers explore the dynamic relationship between dance and theatrical movement with live Korean and Indian traditional music. The production aims to examine how sexual identity is collectively created, defined, reiterated and very often restrained by social, religious, historical, legal and political contexts. What happens then to the individual within this collective definition? And what are those individual stories that converge to create a collective identity that will defy the stereotype handed down from generation to generation? When and why and how will their stories be told? And by whom?For whom? When can the ticking of that third box become a joyful assertion of free will?

Bahuchara Mata: The Third Box is directed by YosupBae, Artistic Director of Performance Group Tuida, South Korea and is co- produced by AsiaNow Productions and InKo Centre. The production will premiere in Korea in 2014 and will be presented in India in the same year. We are hopeful that this production will subsequently travel to relevant Theatre Festivals around the world.

We are looking for actors from within the LGBT community and those outside of it, who are willing to engage with the proposed theme of this production in a sensitive, thoughtful manner. If this is the opportunity that you have been waiting for, we welcome you to participate in auditions led by YosupBae, Artistic Director, Performance Group Tuida and his team in Chennai or Bangalore.

Venue: in Chennai – to be confirmed
Date: 9 and 10 August 2013

Venue in Bangalore – – to be confirmed
Date: 18 and 19 August 2013

Hearty congratulations to Living Smile Vidya on being awarded a scholarship by the Charles Wallace India Trust to pursue theatre in the UK.

Smiley is a writer, actor and artist who lives and works in Chennai. Her book  I am Vidya, published in Tamil, has been subsequently translated into English, Malayalam, Marathi and Kannada. She is also an accomplished actor, known for her work with Srijith Sundaram’s Kattiyakkaari production Molagapodi  as well as with other productions and directors. Her art work has won acclaim at both queer and mainstream exhibitions. She has also worked in Tamil and Malayalam movies as Assistant Director.

We also draw the attention of readers to her reflections on being a Dalit transwoman and feminist, in this excerpt of a conversation with Kaveri Karthik and Gee Ameena Suleiman in Bangalore.