The V@gina Monologues

The other day, as I sat in the bus wondering what plans to make for the weekend, I noticed the local paper had this on its front page.

Love was in the air, Venus shone brightly in the sky and an interesting play at the Schwab Auditorium. Sounded like a perfect potpourri of events. So we went for it.

And what a play it was !!! At the start of the play, the narrator requested the audience to switch off their mobile phones. She added, "Sorry ladies, no vibrators today!"

An annual event here at Penn State, Eve Ensler's V@gina Monologues is an Obie Award-winning play made up of a number of monologues which all relate to woman sexuality in some way or the other. A subtle mix of humour, satire and eroticism, the play had the entire hall (dominated by women) mesmerised and in splits of laughter.

On the brochure handed over to us during the play, the director Shana Lombardi had written a beautiful article. An excerpt from the same:

"Tonight, laugh, cry, let your minds be open, and let your toes curl. But when the curtain closes, remember to take with you the spirit of The Vagina Monologues: the self confidence and the common bonds, the means of connecting to the important women in your life, and supporting each other. Remember to let creativity and love flourish in opposition of violence."

The event is in fact a part of a global movement called V-Day, launched by Ensler in 1998, which works to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation and sexual slavery. V-Day has raised over sixty million dollars for women's anti-violence groups.

Apparently the play seems to be a huge hit in India too, and I am looking forward to see that one too, whenever opportunity offers a chance.