Storytelling as catharsis – Interview with Vidya Nesarikar

Can you talk about the need for awareness about women’s health?

We hardly ever focus on women’s health in our society — except perhaps during pregnancy. There needs to be more awareness especially for young girls.  There is no conversation around health for middle aged women.  We need to talk about how women live their lives—always cooking and working for others.  We need to talk about how women taking care of themselves is considered selfishness. I would advise women to keep an hour to themselves – to do yoga, walk or read a book.

There is a beautiful photo article by Meera Ganapati on exercising in public spaces and how difficult this is.  How many times do you see mothers playing badminton? Walking is sometimes difficult because we have to worry about safety—traffic, stray dogs all posing a problem. How many women have access to public parks? Marathon runners talk about how men laugh at them. There are so many angles to  women’s health.

If you exercise, questions are raised like, “She wants to look good? For whom does she want to look good for?”

If you want to go for a  Zumba class it will raise an eyebrow. Health is not a priority in women’s lives. Hormones and moods can take a toll. Women need support from their family to access doctors and to be able to afford therapy sessions. A lot of women have depression, bipolar disorder or are processing traumas from childhood. 

Plus there is this pressing need to be a supermom. No signs of weakness are allowed. This makes it very daunting. There are changes that are happening in the media today about the role and image of women. These are small changes but we have a long way to go.

Can you talk about storytelling and stereotypes?

I was reading this Kannada folktale about a crow and a sparrow – Kagakka and Gubakka – The crow is a freeloader and the sparrow is hardworking  reinforcing stereotypes about fair and dark skin. As a storyteller you have a responsibility when you pick stories. These stereotypes can affect perspectives and mental health.

Can you talk about storytelling and healing?

As a storyteller there is a part of your self that you put in the story.  Storytelling is an outlet. It can be cathartic. You may not know who you will connect with. I do personal stories—because I believe they have the power to heal – the self and others. Your story can be someone else’s survival guide.  I see storytelling as being about connection, evolution and closure.