post news network
Bhubaneswar, Sept 11: The bangles of Chandrama had a story to tell. They spoke of the stigma associated with sex workers and how the society itself is responsible for sustaining flesh trade.
Chandrama was the lead character in ‘Chandramara Chudi’, a play staged by Paradip-based cultural society Canmass at Rabindra Mandap here Sunday and director Sriman N Mishra did well to tell the poignant tale through the main character.
The play was based on a poem of Padmashree Ramakanta Rath which tells how Chandrama is forced into prostitution following the sudden death of her husband. Jayashree, wife of director Sriman, played Chandrama in the play. “I found it difficult to portray this character, but my husband helped me get into the skin of the character and present it to perfection,” she said.
Sriman, in turn, found directing his wife “an interactive affair”. “I only tried to bring her talent out and helped her realise the importance of the character,” he said.
According to Sriman, his objective was to highlight the bias that prevailed in society. “Here sex workers are hated for their work, whereas the criminals who commit heinous crimes live a life of dignity,” he said.
