A topic so simple yet so complicated, so tiny yet so huge, the elemental beauty standards 34,26,34 or what some might call hourglass body, rose lips, sharp jawline, is that really beauty, though? Are humans objects with perfect measurements? Are they masterpieces for decorating a room? Beauty standards often reduce us to measurements and ideals we were never meant to fit. But true beauty isn’t about flawless skin, perfect figures, or sharp jawlines. It’s found in our imperfections, our unique stories, and the kindness in our hearts. Natural beauty shines through in our thoughts, courage, and authenticity—it’s in embracing who we indeed are. The Byuttiful Performance, directed by Maulikraj Shrimali and Amit Thakkar, performed by the Semester 1 students of Masters in Developmental Communication, broke these mere myths.
First-year Masters in Development Communication (MDC) students at Gujarat University recently captivated audiences with ‘The Byuttiful Performance,’ a bold play directed by Maulikraj Shrimali and Amit Thakkar. The production was the powerful culmination of a two-week theater workshop focused on societal beauty standards, body shaming, and their psychological impacts. Drawing from real-life incidents, the 12-member student batch mimicked exercises, research, and dialogue delivery to craft a performance that entertained and sparked critical conversations.
The play tackled deep-rooted issues such as biases against skin color, the unrealistic pursuit of the ‘perfect’ body, and the emotional toll of these pressures. It concluded with an interactive session where audience members bravely shared personal stories of body shaming, creating a space for open dialogue and collective healing.
Dr. Jyoti Pareek, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Chairperson of the Women’s Development Cell (WDC) at Gujarat University, praised the students for their innovative use of theater to challenge conventional beauty norms. She highlighted the importance of such initiatives in fostering a more inclusive and empathetic society.
Directors Maulikraj Shrimali and Amit Thakkar drew on Augusto Boal’s techniques from the Theatre of the Oppressed, among other trauma-informed performance practices, to explore how patriarchy and capitalism shape harmful beauty standards. In their director’s note, they posed provocative questions like “What is beauty?” and “Who defines the perfect body?” inviting the audience to reflect on how these definitions impact individuals’ self-image and mental health.
‘The Byuttiful Performance’ deliberately misspelled its title to symbolize the rejection of conventional aesthetics and embrace of diverse, authentic expressions of beauty. The play created a space for participants to share their vulnerabilities, confront oppressive narratives, and celebrate resilience. The students’ stories resonated deeply, illustrating the power of theater as a medium for social change and personal empowerment.
Through this impactful production, Gujarat University’s MDC students not only redefined beauty but also demonstrated storytelling’s transformative potential in challenging societal norms and fostering empathy.
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