KOZHIKODE: A lot has been said and written about the endosulfan tragedy in Kerala. Latest in the series is a daring initiative by a group of housewives of Edakkad village, who are all set to mount the stage to voice their protest.The initiative also gets more intriguing as they are adapting the novel Enmakaje, written by Ambikasuthan Mangad, that narrates the story of Enmakaje, a village in Kasargod district, which was affected by the endosulfan tragedy. The drama, Avasanikkatha Nilavilikal has been scripted by PC Harish, a senior journalist and theatre activist, who has already adapted around 19 literary works for the stage.“The story on the stage starts from the end of the novel. The protagonist of the novel Enmakaje, Devayani comes to life on stage and explains her life and puts her insights on the life of the victims of the endosulfan tragedy,” says Harish. The narrative of the play also brings the plight of the mothers of endosulfan victims on to stage. Devayani voices the whole women community’s anger towards the system.“It is an idea that developed as I had a feminist reading of the novel Enmakaje initially. Further examining the novel, it became clear that Devayani and the village Enmakaje are the same. Devayani is the mouthpiece of the land that was once very prosperous and peaceful,” adds Harish.Another twist to the whole project is that the housewives who are going to stage the play were initially planning to do it at the residential colony they belong to. But when they got ready to stage the play, the residents of the colony resented the idea to present such a controversial issue.The eight-member team then decided to act independently and perform the play for the public. “The age of the women who are involved in the play range from 40s to 60s. All the participants are mothers who understand the pain of other women and it is from that understanding their commitment towards the play comes from,” says Harish.This initiative by Bindu, Sindhu, Sheeja, Sheela, Ajitha, Prema, Sooryalatha and Vanaja, which is sure to remind the spectators the revolutionary play Adukkalayil Ninnu Arangathekku by V T Bhattathiripad. The play will be staged at the Sports Council Hall on Dec 28.
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