Art. Theatre. Activism... Arundhati Nag’s an ‘Equal’ music

Bengaluru: Begum Mahal bus stop is all that remains of what was once an iconic part of old Bengaluru. Akhtar Begum lived in  Begum Mahal, a bungalow in Ulsoor, a well-known firebrand who tore around the city in a blue Buick. "The property was opposite Lido mall and the Begum herself was the wife of a nawab," says Arundhati Nag, founder, Ranga Shankara. The Begum had a transgender son. To show her solidarity, she would open up her home to the transgender community, "she would cook biriyani for them," smiles Nag. Small-time hawkers would set up their wares on the premises too.  

About 15 years ago, says Nag, the real estate sector took over the property and the Begum herself vanished without a trace. "Ours is a city that doesn't want to face its transgender reality, it is happy to forget," says Nag.

"Where did that woman go? What happened to the time when we were ready to open our hearts to those who needed help?"

Akhtar Begum found new life in Freedom Begum, an oral history project that first came to the stage on July 30 this year, directed by A. Mangai. Freedom Begum will be part of EQUAL, a theatre festival organised at Ranga Shankara. In the midst of her interview with Deccan Chronicle, Mrs Nag answers her other phone while calling out instructions to the staff - "Cut ruthlessly if it's adding to the clutter!' She enters the conversation with a chuckle  - "Do you see what it's like before an event?"  

Cutting out the superfluous is critical, for EQUAL is an ambitious festival.

"In the first edition (in March 2017), we were greedy, we wanted everything, from garment workers to sex workers and the LGBT community. Everyone was represented through films, performances... it was a great experience but time flies and the festival is back at our doorstep."

The festival is one of many that happens at the iconic theatre space, which holds a national theatre festival, a festival for children and one for young directors in Kannada, apart from the usual lineup. "It's a lot," Mrs Nag agrees. "Soon, EQUAL will demand a secretariat of its own! I hope it becomes an international platform."

As it well should. Inequality is a global problem and the women's movement is complex. "This year, we're talking about inequalities in geographies, communities, language and a host of other issues. It's more than just a man-woman approach."

And art, Mrs Nag believes, must disturb. "A movement begins quietly, with one person having a thought and the momentum gathering from there. An artist is an artist because he or she  ecognises this change. It's up to us to do something, even if the market forces do dictate terms to the art world. And I hope EQUAL will become a petri dish for this sort of dialogue." Bengaluru is a city that is happy to forget its troubles, or brush them under the carpet. "A while ago, 2000 women from rural Karnataka walked over 1000 km to Bengaluru, asking the CM to bring in a liquor ban. Nobody paid attention to them. They walked for 10 days, slept in the fields even though some were pregnant, others had their periods. Did they have access to toilets, even? Did we ask?" Over 10,000 women came together for the Dignity March, all
rape victims.

There is an exciting lineup of speakers too, including Aruna Roy, Kashmiri poet Ayaz Rasool Nazki, Zeeshan Akhtar and Tenzin Tsundue. Former IAS officer Aruna Roy's visit is timely, in the wake of a spate of resignations within the bureaucracy.

 Ranga Shankara becoming a space for progressive thought is something Ms Nag hopes to achieve. "We don't want to do 300 days of activism art, but once in two years, we are able to showcase the best in that field too. She adds, "If I did only, say, Mughal-E-Azam and other performances like it, it would have defeated the purpose of a public space, wouldn't it?"

What to watch out for: EQUAL includes a panel discussion, a daily mehfil, plays and an exhibition, Threshold. Aurat! Aurat! Aurat! directed by Naseerudin Shah and based on stories by the late feminist writer Ishmat Chugtai is one of the leading acts.

Pelva Naik, a female Drupad singer in a male bastion will perform on Day 2.

On Day 3, noted Carnatic musician T.M. Krishna will participate in the mehfil. This mehfil holds a special place in Ms Nag's heart. "I hope it becomes a platform to covet," she remarks. This year includes Vaai music, a form usually sung by men, at funerals. They sing, however, in a high-pitched wail.

What: Equal,
When: Sept. 13 to 15
Where: Ranga Shankara, 36/2 8th Cross Road, Rk colony, 2nd phase J.P. Nagar