The daylong summit was armed with a good number of sessions concerning ‘Realising Women Potential’. On the session titled ‘Creative forces to change the status quo,’ women representatives from diverse creative sectors put up their thoughts on the very issue, sharing experiences from real life. Moderated by Nazia Andaleeb Preema, the panelists were Shobhaa de, Sarah Zaker, Lubna Marium, Nasreen Zamir together with the only male panelist Piplu R Khan. “We do art for art. As soon as someone gets into the politics of art then the dynamics become different. There comes the question of male female or even cast or creed. But for me it’s all about merit. If you are good then there shouldn’t be any question of gender discrimination. This is a conscious decision that I personally took that I distance myself from the politics of art,” said Lubna Marium, dancer and art director. “Using creative forces did exist during our time. I don’t know how far we have been able to address women issues in theatre. Creativity, performing arts and reality need to interconnected” Sara Zaker, social activist and deputy managing director, Asiatic 360 group. “Traditional society saying, how dare she writes this, women are forever answering the question how dare how dare… Yes we dare! And we don’t have to seek anyone’s permission. One has to think of ones own creative space with a sense of humor and without self conscious, and just do what they have to and need to do which is to wake up the world and shake up the society also be a major disruptor. That’s the only way… we have to disrupt.” Shobhaa de, author, columnist and novelist.
“I want to say all women that they must be self-made no matter what situation you are in. women have to be brave and courageous to do what they want to do,” Nasreen Zamir, honorary consul of Luxembourg to Bangladesh and chief designer, Nasreen Zamir and Associates. “Advertising is a critical space, where even without intension things go wrong in most of the cases. Because often we don’t know what is our story. A lot of us aren’t sensitive to tell stories around women or portraying them. Yet we can be very sensitive and innovative while telling stories which can qualify the kind of stories the women want to tell as women.” Piplu R Khan, owner and director, Applebox films limited.
Source:
https://www.dhakatribune.com/magazine/2017/03/16/breaking-down-the-stereotype
