Manikin Plays

The plays in this collection reflect on the political and social issues of contemporary Indian society. Stone Idols retells the story of Buddha through the experience of an actress in a theatre group. The play addresses the complexities of self and identity while deconstructing the mythical story of Buddha. The Beauty Parlour shows the contradictions of an urban middle class girl who is victimized by the male gaze and market economy. The play is set in an Indian urban metropolis where the central character lives a life with tremendous pressure in terms of day-to-day living. The plays in this collection address the issues of sexuality and gender politics that are widespread in Indian social and cultural life. This is a rare collection of two plays with a rare combination of innovative style, literary brilliance and philosophical insights. The book includes critical essays and production photographs.