Yoni Ki Baat
If your yoni could talk, what would it say? Would it complain about the treatment it's received? Would it sing a Bollywood song? Would it laugh, or weep, or shout with joy?
The yoni (Sanskrit word for "vagina") has long been held sacred in Hindu mythology, but, through years of patriarchy and colonialism, it has rarely been allowed to speak its mind. In 2003, South Asian Sisters, a collective of progressive desi women, decided that the yoni needed a chance to get on stage and tell its side of the story. Thus, "Yoni ki Baat" was born.
"Yoni ki Baat," which translates loosely as "Talks about the Vagina," was inspired by Eve Ensler's renowned show "The Vagina Monologues." Though Ensler's piece has been performed around the world, including Pakistan and India, South Asian Sisters felt that putting on a production of the original show simply wasn't enough. We needed to create a space in which South Asian women could express their own views on sexuality and their bodies - topics which are traditionally kept "hush-hush" in desi culture. As with "The Vagina Monologues," "Yoni ki Baat" also aims to end the silencing so common around violence against women, especially in South Asian culture.
Once the call for submissions was sent out over email, the entries began pouring in. Those of us who were working on the script were amazed at both the volume and the quality of the various poems, stories, and personal narratives that flooded our inbox (wink, wink). Clearly, desi women wanted to talk about sexuality, and the YKB call for submissions had opened the floodgates. There were pieces on abuse, masturbation, orgasm, menstruation, homosexuality, heterosexuality, incest, joy, discovery, and pleasure, to name just a few. Many pieces combined a number of these themes, and one even combined poetry with dance.
The performances themselves, which were held at the UC Berkeley campus in July, 2003, were extremely powerful in that they brought together the dynamism of the pieces, the performers, and the audience. Nineteen women took turns performing before a 500-plus audience, in a show that broke the barriers our culture often unwittingly creates for us.
The excitement of both the performers and the audience was palpable, says South Asian Sister Maulie Dass. "I thought it was overwhelming. It was like we all came out of the closet at the same time - the writers, performers, and the audience. We all were standing up for the yoni, whether it was just by our presence or our serious involvement. I have never, ever been in a more supportive environment on that grand of a scale in my entire life."
South Asian Sister Anjali Verma concurs. "The best part of YKB was its mission: to voice taboo subjects. [I enjoyed] being given the opportunity to express suppressed feelings and thoughts, and [meet] the fantastic group of women who came together for this great opportunity. The vibes, the comfort level, the closeness we all felt at an emotional, intellectual, and almost spiritual level was amazing. I had nothing to lose and everything to gain - a great group of friends, and an unforgettable experience overall."
"Yoni ki Baat" was South Asian Sisters' first solo foray into the thriving Bay Area South Asian progressive scene. Started in 1999 by Maulie Dass, the group slowly gained momentum with small meetings, which then led to collaboration with other groups which share common goals, such as Trikone (the South Asian LBGTQ organization), ASATA (the Alliance of South Asians Taking Action), Narika and Maitri (groups which support victims of domestic violence in the South Asian community), and several others. SASisters gained a great deal of visibility and interest through its participation in the March 2003 South Asian Progressive Collective Conference, held in San Francisco. "Yoni ki Baat," however, was the group's most intensive endeavor, and it not only appealed to audience members of both genders, but also drew responses from women who were interested in getting involved in the group.
One of the most common responses from audience members after the show was that the performance had created within them the desire to discuss the various topics raised through YKB. In February, South Asian Sisters organized a "Yoni ki Baat Day of Dialogue," in which women got the chance to do just that. The workshops and informal discussions throughout the day not only provided the opportunity for meaningful conversation, but also highlighted the need for future "Yoni ki Baat" performances.
Women of varying ages were also touched by the performances and the viewpoints they gave voice to. When Verma showed a videotaped copy of "Yoni ki Baat" to her aunt, "she pulled me aside and almost had tears in her eyes when she said that we brought out into the open sentiments she had held onto throughout her life. That humbled me, and reinforced the fact that we need to do this again, and again, and again!"
"'Yoni Ki Baat' is more process-driven than product driven," explains Dass, "and because of that, you get to be more comfortable with yourself and those around you."
Yoni Ki Baat 2008 - 5th Anniversary Special
Brace yourself to experience moving, sensational, disturbing, titillating, and hilariously raw performances from the 2003-2006 scripts of the groundbreaking "Yoni Ki Baat," inspired by Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues." Enjoy our performances, drink specials, and a late-night after-party.
The women's show on March 8 will also include stand-up comedy by the sensational Rasika Mathur of MTV's Wild N Out fame
- SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2008, 6-8pm - EL RIO (21+ WOMEN ONLY)
TICKETS - **SOLD OUT!**
- SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2008, 6-8pm - RICKSHAW STOP (ALL WELCOME - including folks under 21)
TICKETS
Day of Dialogue
A safe, supportive, and inspiring space for women of all walks of life to discuss and grapple with the numerous issues that surround our womanhood.