Shilpi Marwaha

Shilpi Marwaha is a well known name in the Delhi Theatre Circuit, having worked as a theatre artist and activist for the past decade. She gained prominence through her activism through street theatre during the "anti corruption movement" in Delhi and the protests held at Rastrapati Bhawan, where she took the forefront in raising her voice against the horrific 2012 Delhi Gang Rape case also known as the "Nirbhaya" or "Damini" case. She has also worked in mainstream cinema in the Bollywood film, ''Raanjhanaa'' as Rashmi, Abhay Deol's sister, directed by Anand L. Rai in 2013, Bhoomiyude Avakashikal (The Inheritors of the Earth), directed by T. V. Chandran, "Widow of Silence" as Aasiya directed by Praveen Morchhale in 2018 and "Chhapaak" directed by Meghna Gulzar in 2020. She has been awarded first Sarla Birla Award for her contribution to theatre,AAS Excellence Award 2016 for her active participation in women empowerment initiatives, DCW award from Delhi Commission for Women and 'Devi' award from Indian Express Group for her contribution in women empowerment through theatre.

Personal life and background

Shilpi was born and brought up in Delhi and studied Commerce from Kamla Nehru College, University of Delhi. She was active in campus theatre. She did many street and stage plays in DU.

Acting in Theatre

Marwaha started her career as a theatre actor in Delhi with Asmita Theatre Group. She got trained under theatre director Arvind Gaur. She participated in his theatre workshop in college. Marwaha has worked with Asmita Theatre group for 10 years, and was a core member, coordinating theatre workshops and directing workshop plays.

Her major plays are Dario Fo and Franca Rame's ''A Woman Alone'', Bertolt Brecht's ''Ramkali'' (The Good Person of Szechwan), Mahesh Dattani's ''Final Solutions'' and ''30 days in September'', Girish Karnad's ''Rakt Kalyan'', Swadesh Deepak's ''Court Martial'', Rajesh Kumar's ''Ambedkar aur Gandhi'', Mohan Rakesh's ''Lehro ke Rajhans'', Ashok Lal's ''Ek Mamooli Aadmi'', ''Unsuni'' (based on Harsh Mandar's book & scripted by Mallika Sarabhai), Vijay Mishra's "Tat Niranjana“, Dario Fo's adaptation ''Operation Three Star'', based on ''Accidental Death of an Anarchist'', Govind Purushottam Deshpande's ''Raastey'', Dario Fo's ''Can't Pay won't Pay'' (Hindi adaptation by Amitabh Srivastava) and Mahesh Bhatt's ''The Last Salute'', written by Rajesh Kumar. Shilpi has also worked with RJ Raunac on dramatic reading of Asghar Wajahat's stories.

Apart from acting, she has penned five stories, namely, "Apratyaksh", a love story of a eunuch, "Kaash", an intercaste love saga, "Purity" on the slut-shaming tendencies of society and "Rangmanch", elucidating the struggles involved in the life of an aspiring actor trying to fulfil his dream and "Asifa" on child abuse. All these stories have been staged for audience in Delhi."Ehsaas" a solo act written and performed by Shilpi showcases a young girl's struggle to express her love and desire for other women.

Shilpi was also a part of the national award-winning documentary film ''Daughters of Mother India'' and has worked with oscar award-winning director Ross Kaufman. She won the best actress award in 2010 in the "International short and sweet festival".

She participated in theatre workshops in various colleges in Delhi and outside including Delhi University, IIT and IIM and has judged numbers of events on stage and street plays in different colleges & universities across the nation.

Street Theatre

Shilpi Marwaha performed thousands of street plays in Delhi NCR and other states, based on social issues—like Corruption, Women empowerment, Environment, Road-rage, ''Dastak,'' Anti-Ragging, LGBTQ, Communal harmony, Female foeticide Child education, Mental Health, Gender equality, Domestic violence, Child labour, Poverty, Drugs,  Inter-faith etc. Marwaha is also active in Social Awareness movement. She actively participated in women's safety movement to raise voice for domestic workers and in anti-corruption movement etc.

Starting Theatre Group

In the year 2016, Shilpi faced sexual harassment at workplace from the director of theatre group where she worked for almost a decade, after which she walked out from the group and was joined by other senior actors who decided to leave the group.

Shilpi started Sukhmanch Theatre in March 2017 in the memory of her late mother whose name "Sukhvarsha" inspired the name of the group and her endeavor to promote theatrical arts. She is currently working as creative head and director of the group.

Major Directions

* ^{"Indira" by Dr Nishi Chawla}
*^{Gaaye by Rajesh Kumar}
* ^{Court Martial by Swadesh Deepak}
* ^{Kabira Khada Bazaar Mein by Bhisham Sahni}
* ^{Tafteesh by Rajesh Kumar}
* ^{Kaal Kothari by Swadesh Deepak}
* ^{A Woman Alone by Dario Fo & Franca Rame}
* ^{"Kasturba Vs Gandhi" by Dr Nishi Chawla}
* ^{Gagan Damama Bajyo by Piyush Mishra}
* ^{Ramleela by Rakesh Veda}
* ^{Seven steps around the fire by Mahesh Dattani}

Filmography

* 2012 – ''Bhoomiyude Avakashikal''
* 2013 – ''Raanjhanaa'' as Rashmi, Abhay Deol's sister.
*2018 - '' Widow of Silence''
*2020 - Chhapaak
*2022 - Shabaash Mithu as Sukumari Marwaha
*2023 - Banda Singh

References

External links

*
FacebookTwitterSukhmanch Theatre

{{DEFAULTSORT:Marwaha, Shilpi
Actresses from Delhi
Indian stage actresses
Indian film actresses
Living people
Delhi University alumni
Punjabi people
1988 births
Actresses in Hindi cinema
Actresses in Malayalam cinema
21st-century Indian actresses