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<\/picture><\/div>\nIn Touchy Topic<\/i>, an artistically innovative and emotionally evocative performance, Durga Venkatesan explores the pervasive issue of sexual harassment through a non-verbal medium. This performance dissolves traditional theatrical boundaries by immersing spectators in an active role. <\/p>\n
In Touchy Topic<\/i>, Durga stands motionless for a full 60 minutes, allowing the audience to interact with her in a profoundly personal way. Participants are invited to approach the artist and use white paint to leave a fingerprint on any part of her body where they have been touched inappropriately. This silent exchange, she explains, transforms the audience from mere spectators into \u201cspect-actors,\u201d individuals who actively shape the performance with their personal stories and emotions.<\/p>\n
The idea grew out of a 10-day workshop she attended in Mumbai focused on creating solo performances inspired by personal experiences. \u201cIt sparked a desire in me to explore the issue of inappropriate touching, something I\u2019ve unfortunately faced living in Delhi. Safety, or the lack thereof, is constantly drilled into us,\u201d Durga recounts, talking over the phone from Bengaluru. .<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reason I chose a non-verbal approach for this piece is that, as many of us know, talking about inappropriate touching and sexual harassment can be incredibly difficult,\u201d Durga explains, \u201cWe might lack confidence or simply not feel safe enough to speak up. Just like me, many people struggle to articulate these experiences. That\u2019s where creativity comes in.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Durga](\"https:\/\/th-i.thgim.com\/public\/incoming\/a1ao0b\/article68304016.ece\/alternates\/FREE_1200\/Touchy%20Topic%203.jpg\" "\\"Durga")
<\/div>\n\nDurga Venkatesan in Touchy Topic
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\nSpecial Arrangement\n<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n \u201cThis performance is deeply personal for me,\u201d Venkatesan shares. \u201cIt stems from a long history of inappropriate touching that began as early as when I was five years old. This performance is my way of creating a space for others to express themselves, perhaps for the first time.\u201d<\/p>\n The performance is not only about the artist\u2019s experience but also serves as a profound moment for the audience. \u201cFor survivors, it can be a step towards acknowledging and accepting their experiences,\u201d she says, \u201cFor others who haven\u2019t faced inappropriate touching or harassment, the sheer number of participants can be a revelation, creating awareness and empathy. Witnessing the silent stories can catalyse both anger and a desire to make a change.\u201d<\/p>\n Durga\u2019s work is about bravery and vulnerability. Her personal journey and the performance\u2019s evolution are deeply intertwined. \u201cInitially, I had the same anxieties anyone would \u2013 standing completely still while absorbing people\u2019s raw emotions,\u201d she admits. \u201cBut something shifted within me after the first show. Witnessing so many expressions and stories lifted a weight off my shoulders. It wasn\u2019t just about them; it was about me, too. A sense of belonging bloomed in that room, surrounded by people who understood. We weren\u2019t just creating a safe space but a brave space.\u201d<\/p>\n The piece premiered at Prithvi House in Mumbai and was recently performed again at Lahe Lahe in Bengaluru. Venkatesan\u2019s previous shows elicited diverse reactions, with the atmosphere in each city distinctly shaping the performance. \u201cIn Bombay, the energy was high, with around 50 people in attendance. Many people participated, leaving their fingerprints. In contrast, the atmosphere in Bangalore was much calmer. People seemed deeply introspective, piecing together stories behind the fingerprints in the quiet, darkened space.\u201d<\/p>\n According to the artist, Touchy Topic <\/i>is not about finding a single outcome but rather about providing a space for exploration and personal journeys. \u201cSome might find it cathartic, releasing pent-up emotions. Others might feel anger bubble up to the surface. Still others might simply need quiet reflection.\u201d<\/p>\n Touchy Topic will be performed on June 23 at Shoonya Centre for Somatic Arts and Practices, Lal Bagh Road. Tickets are available on insider.in.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n