Directed by Dhwani Vij, and Produced by Aagaaz Theatre, Bhagi Hui Ladkiyan was first commissioned as a part of Gender Bender 2016.

The play explores the actors’ gendered bodies and their relationship with the self, others and public spaces - the piece uses objects, physical & testimonial theatre, and cartography to devise a thought-provoking experience.

The spectator is invited to enter the performer's world- through the everyday-ness of the narrative.

(The stories begin to twist into tales of how gender and sexuality play out in the lives of the four actors. Conversations about family, trust, consent, personal space and gender dynamics begin to surface. Their questions and confusions about their identity and how they are perceived within the boundaries of their home and their social context comes forth through their words and actions. The stories are in equal parts sad, angry, and hilarious!

The play attempts to highlight contrasts between the confining yet comfortable quality of the home, and the liberating aspects of the outside world. The differences between ‘Who I am’ and ‘How people see me’ guide the explorations, that the performers embark on. The audience is invited to become a part of the happenings of the actors’ world through immersive theatre.

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Artist Description:

Nagina

Nagina is a 22-year-old artist and facilitator who started doing theatre while still a student of grade 3 at the MCD Primary School in Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti, and is one of the founding members of Aagaaz.

Nagina is a curious learner of new skills, an empathetic and attentive facilitator, and a vibrant, adaptive & quick-witted performer.

Apart from her work with children, and the community, she is currently Co- Directing a play at Aagaaz with Neel Chaudhary.

Jasmine

A founding member of Aagaaz, Jasmine is a 20-year-old, vibrant and dynamic arts practitioner and facilitator. She took to the stage on her very first day with the organisation as if she has always belonged to it, and has been part of every Aagaaz production since; 100+ shows, across 12+ cities.

Always eager to learn, she has been part of several arts practice and facilitation workshops, of which the most recent was a 15-day long Directorial workshop with Neel Sen Gupta & Sakhi Upadhyay, at The Third Space Collective - Start/Stop Direction, 2022.

Other than her fantastic presence on stage, her directorial ventures, and her uncanny knack for comic timing, Jasmine is a natural with children. As a facilitator, she helps build on the curiosities & ability of the young people through drama-based engagement, at Aagaaz’s learning centre, and in external workshops.

Naghma

Naghma has grown up acting and attending several workshops & trainings for arts practice as well as facilitation. Now, as a Community Arts Facilitator at Aagaaz, she creates & facilitates exciting arts-based sessions, that enable deep engagement with children. She has also co-facilitated arts-based workshops for children in Delhi, Srinagar, and Patiala.

As part of the Aagaaz Repertory, she has performed in several of Aagaaz’s major productions in 100+ performances across 12+ cities, and is as lively on stage as she is in person. The group looks to her for all projects that involve singing; her ease on stage and openness to learning every day and through every experience is inspiring.

Zainab

Zainab has been with Aagaaz since 2009, and looks at theatre as a free space that allows her to express her feelings and helps her navigate the world.

She is full of questions about herself, the world she occupies, and the society at large, and is never shy of challenging ideas and perceptions.

A graduate of Lady Irwin College, Delhi University, Zainab was a crucial member of the dramatics society of her college and has been part of all of Aagaaz’s major productions, such as Bhagi Hui Ladkiyan, Rihla, Duniya Sabki, Ravan Aya etcetera, and has performed several shows across 12+ cities in India.

Never afraid to imagine possibilities to transform reality with her sheer determination and ability to persevere, she dreams of becoming a Theatrical Make-Up Artist.