Preface

Preface

Meri Kahani: My Story is a play adapted to an audiobook. This tapestry of monologues gives voice to often unseen layers of painful and taboo experiences of South Asian women. Delivered with poetic brilliance and an unflinching rawness, Meri Kahani delicately handles themes of forced marriage, sexual abuse, domestic violence, social expectations and inter-generational divisions. Pushing to the surface through the weight of these painful stories are examples of resilence, a longing for justice and an opportunity to heal through uncovering abuse hidden behind culture and silence. Actor in preface: Umbereen Inayet

Shanti's Kahani: Part 1, Chapter 1

Shanti’s Kahani portrays some of the challenges new immigrants face due to language barriers when wanting to access services. Actor: Meera Solanki Estrada

Maji's Kahani: Part 1, Chapter 2

In Maji and Beti’s Kahani, in law abuse is explored through in the form of letter correspondence between a mother and daughter. Actor: Jasmine Sawant

Anne's Kahani: Part 1, Chapter 3

Anne’s Kahani tells the story of a lesbian woman in two stages of her life. During the first part, Anne is reflecting on whether she should “listen to her parents and just get married.” Trauma and symptoms of trauma are explored during the second part of Anne’s Kahani. In this part, Anne has locked herself in the bathroom while her husband is banging on the other side of the bathroom door.

Shanti's Kahani - Part 2, Chapter 1

Actor: Meera Solanki Estrada