Sanu Bibi: An Exemplar of Transformation
No adversity was too big to stifle and snuff out Sanu di’s indomitable spirit that saw her through life’s myriad challenges, compelling her to support others suffering in a similar manner. Today, she walks tall and urges, encourages and supports other women to break free of the shackles of tradition and convention
Scene 1: Bhendi, a 14-year-old girl, walks to her school with her friend, Padma. Both of them study in the 9th Standard. One day, as they walk home, Bhendi shares with her friend that after passing her exams, she will continue to study for the higher secondary examinations because she wants to become a doctor. While they are walking, some young boys standing on the crossroads pass some lewd comments about them. Bhendi becomes irritated but doesn’t say anything and quietly walks away. After some time, Bhendi’s brother Bhenda, who studies in college, passes by the same place and the boys again pass comments regarding his sister and her character. Bhenda gets very angry and decides to talk to his father about Bhendi.
Scene 2: Bhenda comes home and tells his father, Dharani, about the comments he has to listen to about his sister. Dharani says that there is to be no more studying for Bhendi and it is time to marry her off. They contact Bablu, Bhendi’s uncle, who has a prospective groom for Bhendi. Bhendi’s mother is not convinced about the marriage but she doesn’t say anything. When Bhendi comes from school, her brother tells her that she will not be going to school anymore.
Scene 3: Bablu brings home the prospective groom but Bhendi tells them that she does not want to get married and that she wants to study further. Her father and brother get very angry. Her brother brings a chain and ties Bhendi’s hand saying, “You are born as a girl and you will die a prisoner of someone.
The Theatre of Oppressed (participatory theatre that fosters democratic and cooperative forms of interaction among participants) ends there; Sanu di, who plays the role of Bhendi, starts engaging with the audience, who are dumbfounded by the intensity of the play.