Meri Kahani - My Story

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

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 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.

Actor: Meera Solanki Estrada

Sathi's Kahani illustrates the effects of domestic violence on children. Sathi replays her daily witnessing of domestic violence as she plays tea party with "Mr. and Mrs. Bear." Actor: Sarah Menzies

Amita’s Kahani tells the story of a young, up and coming, professional who is discussing the abuse she witnessed between her parents with her therapist. Actor: Mandeep Kaur Bhalru

Actor: Meera Solanki Estrada

Phul's Kahani tells the story of a transsexual person and her experience with sexual identity, love and abuse. Actor: Zavaré Tengra

Actor: Meera Solanki Estrada

A haunting tale of love, Izaat's Kahani is a story about a woman who defies culture and family for love and honour. Actor: Ashima Suri

Actor: Ashima Suri