Kara (The Stain), a solo performance in Malayalam, written and directed by theatreperson Prashanth Narayanan, tells the story of Nangeli, a washer woman, and her frenzied attempts to erase the stains on her body and reputation.
Performed by Thushara Nambiar, the solo comes out strongly against a patriarchal society and its treatment of women. Though there is only one performer on stage, ‘Thampran,’ the prototype of the dominating, controlling male, makes his presence felt strongly throughout the play through dialogues that reveal his attitude towards Nangeli. She is aware of his gaze on her body. Taunted by the Thampran for being abandoned by her husband, Nangeli, initially, submits to his subtle and not-so-subtle exploitation.
The minimal performance space was defined by a circle that represented a well in which Nangeli finds a sanctuary, with the performance moving in and around the well, on the side of which an ordinary tap was mounted.
The text moves with an intensity created by the lyrical language of Prashanth, by building upon the emotions of Nangeli who transforms from the hapless victim to the all-powerful incarnation of a goddess — Kinar Theyyam (goddess of the well). As Nangeli transforms into the Goddess, she addresses the audience and asks them who had become stained and how, all to the accompaniment of ritualistic percussion.
Kara was staged at a beautiful open-air performance space at Lokadharmi Nadakaveedu at Nayarambalam, Kochi, marking the closing of ‘Mazhavillu,’ Lokadharmi’s vacation theatre workshop for children.
The play was presented by Kalam Theatre and Repertory, Thiruvananthapuram.
