Henrik Ibsen is all set for a date with Mahasweta Devi as The Buddha, Draupadi and the quintessential Sakubai accompany them to a theatre fest that celebrates femininity in the funnest, fiercest way

Women are born actors. Drama queens, some say. With this thought aptly in place, Leela, the first ever South

Asian Women's Theatre Festival, starting today, aims to explore all that women stand for, and all that's most misunderstood about them. Here's more on the festival, which marks the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day.

Au00a0SAARC set up
Fourteen theatre groups from nine countries, namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India, will stage plays in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta and Chandigarh. The eight-day festival is a joint effort between ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations), Jamia Millia University and NSD (National School of Drama). It will throw light on a variety of women's issues, including world peace, love, classical adaptations and mythology, among many others.u00a0 The festival acknowledges that the issues pertaining to women which are common to all communities, religious beliefs and ethnic groups, can be addressed more effectively through sharing and collaboration at every level, particularly live arts. It is this thought that brings about the rich line-up that Leela has in store.

'Play' safe
"Feminism, nowadays, goes much beyond fighting for one's rights. The festival is nothing like exclusively for women; rather, it binds women from all across South Asia. The problems are similar, and this will serve as a common ground of cultural exchange," says Anuradha Kapoor, Director, NSD. And just in case you're worried about safety, considering the plight of some distinguished international directors in the capital, Virendra Gupta, DG ICCR, comes to the rescue. "I can assure that as far as this festival is concerned, it's going to be very safe, both for the audience as well as the participants."u00a0

Leela
On till: March 15
Where: Different venues
Passes available at: ICCR, Azad Bhawan IP estate and NSD,u00a0 Bahawalpur house, Bhagwandas Road (11am to 5 pm)