The Centre for Women’s Studies, University of Hyderabad, in association with the theatre group The Torn Curtains, organized a dramatic performance titled “Half a Cup Full” directed by Mala Pasha on October 14, 2025, at the Savitribai Phule DST Auditorium. The event was held to promote breast cancer awareness and to create conversations around health, body image, and resilience.
The program began with a welcome address by Professor Deepa Sreenivas, Head, Centre for Women’s Studies who addressed the importance of combining art and social advocacy.
Ms. Debomita Mukherjee, Research Scholar at CWS, introduced the theatre group ‘Torn Curtains’ and their significant contribution towards advocacy related to gender, LGBTQ and other social issues.
The play, directed by Pasha, offered a moving and thought-provoking portrayal of the emotional, social, and psychological experiences of women living with or recovering from breast cancer. Using minimal stage design and evocative performances, the production captured the nuances of pain, courage, and hope that define the journey of many survivors. Through powerful monologues and dialogues, the play challenged stigmas surrounding women’s bodies and highlighted the importance of early detection, medical support, and emotional healing.
The event saw an enthusiastic audience comprising faculty, students, and members of the university community. Following the performance, a brief interactive session was held where the director and actors engaged with the audience, discussing the process of conceptualizing the play and the importance of using theatre as a medium for social awareness.
The program was both emotionally impactful and educational, reinforcing the need for sustained discussions on health and experiences of the survivors. The initiative successfully combined art and advocacy, encouraging participants to view the issue of breast cancer not only through a medical lens but also as a matter of social understanding and empathy. The director said that the main idea behind the play was to show that treating the survivors right is crucial for battling the disease.
The performers and director were felicitated by Professor Suneetha Rani, Dean, School of Social Sciences, who commended the initiative for its thoughtful intersection of art and social consciousness.
The event was anchored by Ms Lee Tato and concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms Abhiruchi Chatterjee, research scholars from the Centre for Women’s Studies.
Contributed by: Alice Abraham, Research Scholar, Centre for Women’s Studies