Latest news with #Samaaj
Hindustan Times
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Shweta Tripathi returns to theatre as a producer with a queer play: I wanted to be a part of this pride celebration
Actor Shweta Tripathi is currently engrossed in her production ventures. Earlier this year, she had announced delving into film production to us, and now she is returning to theatre in the same role. She is reviving the Oliver award-winning play Cock, and she insists it is an ode from her to the LGBTQIA+ community. The play tells the story of a man, who is in a relationship with a man, but while they are together, he falls in love with a woman. Shweta Tripathi shares, 'I recognise myself an ally and I am drawn towards stories that are from the queer community. It's because the community stands for love, equality and freedom. You fall in love with a person, who that person is, not what they are. I wanted to be a part of this pride celebration because we are also celebrating individuality, which we are losing, and it bothers me. If by being a producer, I can give that love and support to my cast and crew, and help them being seen, why not?' Recently, a play titled Samaaj got banned from its showing in Jaipur citing it to be "unsuitable for public staging" as it told a queer lover story. Ask her about how the news impacted her and she says, 'Bahut bura lagta hai kyunki pyaar to baantna chahiye, and that story was about love. The difference between us humans and AI is EQ and empathy, and hum wo hi hataye ja rahe hain. Humko takleef kis cheez se hai, uspe discussions and conversations bahut zaruri hain. We need to have communication and understand each other even if we come from different backgrounds. That is the need of the hour as life is not black and white, it's colourful and we should enjoy all the colours. So, it feels bad when such restrictions are put in place, kyunki pehle samjho to.' Shweta's play will be shown in Mumbai during the Pride Month, but does it scare her as a producer that the play might face the same fate if it travels? 'We are just hoping that there is no opposition. As artiste, our job is to keep trying and we will do that. We want to tell stories, but our aim is not to hurt anybody. Ours is a love story, which happens to be about queer people. This story can be about anybody as we are all human beings. So, we want people to support us as I can't do anything alone,' she insists. Talking of queer representation, Shweta says that it is improving in Hindi cinema today, but insists that it will still take more time to get normalised. 'It's not just about the community but about understanding each other on a more spiritual level. There needs to be more people from the community in everything, and it will take time. We can hope for it, but the change won't happen overnight. We need to be more accepting as people. The change first needs to be brought in at an individual level, then only it will spread to a community level,' she says. Many people call out the industry for token representation of the community on screen at times, but the actor agrees that even that is necessary. 'It's because if you do it suddenly, it will come out as you are doing it just to be cool or just to fit in. You need to imbibe it in the audience's mind gradually. But token representation should improve and evolve with time, and if it is happening that way, it's all fine. And no change is big or small,' she ends.
Scroll.in
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scroll.in
After complaint by RSS-linked body, Jaipur cultural centre cancels play on same-sex relations
A Rajasthan government-run cultural centre in Jaipur has cancelled a dance performance about a same-sex relationship after objections were raised by Sanskar Bharati, the cultural wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, The Indian Express reported on Tuesday. The performance, titled Samaaj, was set to be performed on April 26 at the Madhyavarti auditorium in Jawahar Kala Kendra, a culture centre run by the state government's art and culture department. 'The dance narrative is about the romantic relationship between two men, Sameer and Miraj,' The Wire quoted Jainil Mehta, the director, producer and choreographer of the performance, as saying. 'We have already staged it in cities such Mumbai and Ahmedabad.' Mehta said that the administration at Jawahar Kala Kendra had on April 21 confirmed the booking for the performance on April 26. 'But on April 24, the JKK [Jawahar Kala Kendra] administration told me that they have received objection letters from people who felt that the performance would not be in accordance with Indian values,' he said, adding that he was also shown a letter from Sanskar Bharati. In its letter on April 24 to the cultural centre, Sandeep Lele, part of Sanskar Bharti, claimed that the staging of the performance was a matter of concern because it went against 'Indian culture and social values' and seemed to be 'an attempt to mislead the young generation', The Indian Express reported. Several objections cited by Lele included that the performance encouraged a 'rebellious attitude towards Indian traditional beliefs and social system', contained vulgar language and promoted 'homosexual relationships…which does not match the general sensibilities of the people.' Lele also claimed that the performance rejected the 'family value system and promotes highly individualistic and disorderly ideas in the name of freedom'. On the day that the performance was set to take place, Jawahar Kala Kendra issued a letter to Mehta cancelling the performance, which was signed by the additional director general of the culture centre. The letter said that the cultural centre had taken its decision after receiving complaints about the performance. 'Short clips and other information related to your play were seen on social media handles by various organisations/individuals, after which a complaint letter has been submitted to JKK, expressing objection to the staging of the play and terming it against the dignity of the prestigious institution of art and culture', The Indian Express quoted the letter as saying. On his part, Mehta said that he had presented his objections against the cancellation before the committee on April 24. 'I was told by the JKK administration that if I wanted to produce art, I should create art that furthered Indian culture,' The Wire quoted Mehta as saying.
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Unsuitable for public staging': Jaipur's govt-run Jawahar Kala Kendra cancels queer play after complaint
Jaipur's Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK) cultural centre has cancelled a queer play following objections, including from the RSS-affiliated Sanskar Bharti. The play 'Samaaj', which depicts the story of two men in a relationship, was scheduled for the evening of April 26 at JKK's central auditorium. However, in a letter to the play's director Jainil Mehta, JKK's Additional Director General (Administration), Alka Meena, said that 'short clips and other information related to your play were seen on social media handles by various organisations/individuals, after which a complaint letter has been submitted to JKK, expressing objection to the staging of the play and terming it against the dignity of the prestigious institution of art and culture.' 'The complaints received were evaluated by JKK's Programme Coordinating Committee. The committee found the content of your programme to be unsuitable for public staging in the JKK premises,' says the letter by Meena. On booking app Bookmyshow, the play is described as 'a gripping journey of self-discovery, love, and the fragile line between acceptance and rejection.' In its letter dated April 24 to JKK, Sandeep Lele, associated with Sanskar Bharti, termed the staging of the play 'a matter of serious objection and concern,' and that 'it is not only against Indian culture and social values' but 'also seems to be an attempt to mislead the young generation.' Lele listed several reasons for the objections — 'that it encourages a rebellious attitude towards Indian traditional beliefs and social system; at many places in the dialogues of the play, vulgar and double meaning language has been used, which is against the standards of public performance; the story that promotes homosexual relationships has been made the basic premise, which does not match the general sensibilities of the people.' Other reasons cited by Sanskar Bharti include that 'the play rejects the family value system and promotes highly individualistic and disorderly ideas in the name of freedom; in the name of experimentalism, indecent and infected language and expression have been employed; and that, in the name of love, the entire presentation gives a message to the young generation of indiscipline and turning away from social norms.' The play was staged elsewhere in Jaipur the same day.
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Jaipur's JKK cancels same-sex play following objection by RSS affiliate
Jaipur's Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK) cultural centre has cancelled a queer play following an objection by Sanskar Bharti, affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The play 'Samaaj', which depicts the story of two men in a relationship, was scheduled for April 26 evening at JKK's central auditorium. However, in a letter to the play's director Jainil Mehta, JKK's Additional Director General (Administration), Alka Meena, said that 'short clips and other information related to your play were seen on social media handles by various organisations/individuals, after which a complaint letter has been submitted to JKK, expressing objection to the staging of the play and terming it against the dignity of the prestigious institution of art and culture.' 'The complaints received were evaluated by JKK's Programme Coordinating Committee. The committee found the content of your programme to be unsuitable for public staging in the JKK premises,' says the letter by Meena, which cited certain rules to cancel the programme. On a ticket booking app, the play is described as: 'In an idealistic society that is open minded, two men must confront their deepest insecurities and the hidden truths of their relationship. As their love grows, so do the tensions between who they are and who they are becoming. Can they overcome their pasts and find balance, or will the weight of their own doubts tear them apart? 'Samaaj' is a gripping journey of self-discovery, love, and the fragile line between acceptance and rejection.' In its letter dated April 24 to JKK, Sandeep Lele, associated with Sanskar Bharti, had termed the staging of the play 'a matter of serious objection and concern,' and that 'it is not only against Indian culture and social values' but 'also seems to be an attempt to mislead the young generation.' Lele listed several reasons for the objections: 'That it encourages a rebellious attitude towards Indian traditional beliefs and social system; at many places in the dialogues of the play, vulgar and double meaning language has been used, which is against the standards of public performance; the story that promotes homosexual relationships has been made the basic premise, which does not match the general sensibilities of the people.' Other reasons cited by Sanskar Bharti include that 'the play rejects the family value system and promotes highly individualistic and disorderly ideas in the name of freedom; in the name of experimentalism, indecent and infected language and expression have been employed; and that, in the name of love, the entire presentation gives a message to the young generation of indiscipline and turning away from social norms.' The play was then staged elsewhere in Jaipur the same day.
The Wire
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Wire
‘Against Indian Values': Rajasthan Govt-Run Art Centre Cancels Queer-Themed Dance Show After RSS Objects
Support independent journalism. Donate Now Top Stories Deep Mukherjee 4 hours ago Sanskar Bharati, RSS's cultural wing, said in its letter that the event encouraged a rebellious attitude towards Indian traditional beliefs and societal systems. A scene from Samaaj, the dance narrative that was cancelled from being performed at the Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur on April 26. Photo by arrangement. Support Free & Independent Journalism Good evening, we need your help! Since 2015, The Wire has fearlessly delivered independent journalism, holding truth to power. Despite lawsuits and intimidation tactics, we persist with your support. Contribute as little as ₹ 200 a month and become a champion of free press in India. Yes, I want to contribute Jaipur: A government culture centre in BJP-ruled Rajasthan on April 26 cancelled the permission it had earlier granted to stage a dance performance about same-sex relationship. The permission was cancelled after objections were raised by Sanskar Bharati, the cultural wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The dance show, titled 'Samaaj', was supposed to be performed on the evening of April 26 at the Madhyavarti auditorium of Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK). Designed by famous architect Charlea Correa, JKK is an international multi-art and culture centre which is run by the Rajasthan government's Art and Culture Department. The centre hosts numerous exhibitions, theatre performances and other cultural events, and has become a hub of artistic activities in the city ever since it was inaugurated in 1993. 'Production gives the message of indiscipline to the youth' 'The dance narrative is about the romantic relationship between two men, Sameer and Miraj. The name Samaaj is derived from the names of these two characters. It talks about the balance in relationships and we incorporate elements of storytelling such as theatre, music and poetry. We have already staged it in cities such Mumbai and Ahmedabad,' said Jainil Mehta, the director, producer and choreographer of the dance narrative. Mehta added that on April 21, the JKK administration had confirmed his booking for the performance of Samaaj at the madhyavarti auditorium on April 26. 'But on April 24, the JKK administration told me that they have received objection letters from people who felt that the performance would not be in accordance with Indian values. I was also shown a letter from Sanskar Bharati wherein it was said that it is against Indian culture and societal values,' said Mehta. The letter from Sanskar Bharati, dated April 24 and addressed to the additional director general of JKK, says that the performance is based on a story that encourages same-sex relationships and it doesn't match with the general sentiments of the public. 'A rebellious attitude is encouraged towards Indian traditional beliefs and societal systems. Excessive individualistic and unruly ideas are being promoted in the name of freedom. In the name of love, the entire production gives the message of indiscipline to the youth and to get alienated from societal values,' are some of the reasons that Sanskar Bharati lists in the letter written in Hindi to say that Samaaj should not be allowed to be staged. Earlier this month, Sanskar Bharati was in news for issuing a communique titled, 'हास्य विधाओं में भारतीय मूल्य–बोध की पुनः स्थापना आवश्यक' – 'The Need to Re-establish Indian Value Consciousness in the Genre of Humour.' A poster of the dance narrative was put up in JKK, and was later removed after the cancellation of the performance. Photo: By arrangement. Mehta, 25, said that he put forth his side of the argument before a committee of the JKK on April 24 but was told that the dance narrative was against Indian culture. 'It is really surprising that this is happening even after the decriminalisation of homosexuality. I was told by the JKK administration that if I wanted to produce art, I should create art that furthered Indian culture. I had really hoped to perform at JKK, as it is the biggest culture centre in Jaipur. There should be some sort of support for artistes, which was missing in this case,' Mehta told The Wire. Mehta says that posters and standees of the dance narrative put up at JKK were later removed after the cancellation of the performance. 'Shameful that the Rajasthan government has prevented a young artist from showcasing his talent' The JKK issued a cancellation letter to Mehta on April 26, the day when the performance was supposed to take place. The cancellation letter, signed by the additional director general of the culture centre, says that after the JKK received complaints by different organisations and individuals who objected to the performance, a committee made an assessment of the event. 'The content committee has found that your programme is not fit for being staged publicly in the compound of the centre,' says the cancellation letter of JKK written in Hindi. The dance narrative was subsequently staged at another venue in Jaipur on April 26. The denial of space for the performance has resulted in sharp criticism. 'At a time when Section 377 has been read down, when multiple courts across the country have affirmed that LGBTQ+ rights are human rights, it is shameful that the Rajasthan government has prevented a young artist from showcasing his talent,' Anish Gawande, co-founder Pink List India and national spokesperson, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) (NCP (SP)) told The Wire. 'India's creative economy is valued at more than 30 billion USD, employing 8% of the workforce. Suppressing creative expression due to shortsighted homophobia goes against the government's own mission of a $5 trillion economy,' added Gawande. 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