Lament
- Length13 min
- Year
Born a girl but raised as a boy, Aravan is groomed by her father to play the mythological hero “Duryodhana” in their village's traditional street theatre ('Therukoothu' in Tamil language), retelling of the Indian Epic “Mahabharata”. Torn between the role imposed upon her and the identity she longs to embrace, Aravan's inner world begins to unravel. As the weight of performance, patriarchy, and personal truth collide, she journeys through pain, defiance, and awakening. In a final act echoing the legendary mythological character “Kannagi” from the ancient Tamil epic “Silappadikaram”, who lits the whole city of Madurai to ensure justice, Aravan sets fire to her own hut—not in despair, but as a fiery demand for justice and recognition. Lament is a poignant exploration of gender, tradition, and the cost of silencing one's true self.