Currently being staged at the world's largest performing arts festival, Vibhinna Ramdev’s play explores why she speaks English despite living in India, where it is not the primary language.
Through her performance, Vibhinna uncovers that the resistance faced by non-local language speakers goes beyond mere linguistic barriers. (Supplied)
Bengaluru-based performing artist Vibhinna Ramdev, now a full-time actor, faced an unexpected challenge when she entered the world of acting.
Despite living in a country where English isn’t the primary language, she found herself predominantly speaking English, which led to questions and snide remarks from peers.
Vibhinna’s introspection on this matter has culminated in a unique solo dance theatre production, titled Why English?
The play combines contemporary dance and spoken word to delve into the reasons behind her linguistic choices.
Presently, this production is enjoying a two-week run at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the world’s largest performing arts event.
The festival boasts a staggering line-up of over 45,182 performances and 3,013 shows from 67 countries, across 248 venues.
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Vibhinna’s journey serves as the foundation for Why English?
She grapples with the question of why she speaks English fluently, while not being equally proficient in any other Indian language.
“Why English? I have had this question on my mind for a while. This play is an exploration of why I can only speak English fluently and not any other Indian language. English is my comfort language and I find that odd now,” she notes.
Despite being raised and educated in Bengaluru, she felt compelled to explore the factors that led her to this linguistic inclination.
The play also addresses the societal significance attached to English in India and the reasons for its perceived importance.
Why English? is not just a personal narrative but a deeper exploration. Vibhinna conducted thorough research, interviewing individuals from diverse backgrounds to determine if her experience was unique.
She uncovers that the resistance faced by non-local language speakers, like herself, goes beyond mere linguistic barriers.
Vibhinna tells South First, “A lot of the time people face resistance when we don’t speak the local language. But what’s the angst about? As long as we can communicate with each other, what is the problem? That’s what I wanted to find out in the process. I realised it’s not just about the language. It’s about how the other person is made to feel.”
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“The disadvantages that non-English speakers face include both the class divide and the social divide. This complex issue involves numerous layers, each with its own intricacies. There are reasons why they are angry. There are also reasons for others to think they should not be angry. I wanted to bring all of these aspects through my play,” she shares.
She aims to shed light on the multifaceted reasons behind this anger, while also revealing the layers of privilege and disadvantage that come into play.
Bringing the production from Bengaluru to Edinburgh was a carefully produced process.
After attending the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as an audience member and witnessing its magnitude, Vibhinna was determined to showcase her work there.
“The Fringe Fest happens every year in August. I found out about it through a very close friend who is from Edinburgh. And once I attended the fest, I was blown away. About 3,000 shows were happening every day and different kinds of performances from comedy to dance to theatre. It was something I had never seen before. I decided I was going to come back with my show,” she shares.
Understanding the festival’s mechanisms was key, as securing a suitable venue and navigating logistical details were crucial steps.
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Vibhinna’s proactive approach involved demonstrating her previous works and outlining her vision for the show to secure a spot.
“From over 300 venues available, you need to find out the one that’s best suited for your show. Then you write to them, and you may hear back. As for me, I showed them my previous works and also explained what my plan was for the show that I’m bringing,” she details.
She further notes, “It is an expensive affair. You have to do your research thoroughly to find the right venue for you, negotiate deals, etc. You need to have everything in place to be on their programme. Also, you have to register in March for August. It took me two months to research the venue. So technically, the process has been on since January.”
Participating in the Fringe Festival offers immense opportunities for exposure.
Vibhinna highlights that it serves as a global platform attracting industry professionals, producers, talent scouts, and more.
While the preparation and organisation are demanding, the potential for career advancements and artistic recognition make the endeavour worthwhile.
“It’s the world’s largest arts festival. This means everyone in the field has their eyes on it. All the touring operators, producers, people who are scouting for talent, people who are looking to pick up shows to turn them into films and web series. It’s a marketplace for talent who are waiting to be discovered. Yes, it’s a lot of work but it’s a lot of opportunities as well,” she signs off.
To follow the artiste’s journey, visit Instagram @vibhinnaramdev
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