VARIOUS aspects of one of the most prominent social issues in today’s society, domestic violence, will be examined in the play, “When Chocolate Melts”, which takes to the stage of the National Cultural Centre (NCC) next weekend, commencing at 19:00 hours.

Written and directed by actor/playwright, Neaz Subhan, ‘When Chocolate Melts’ is being staged by the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) in part fulfillment of its social mandate.
It follows the staging of Vijay Tendulkar’s “Kanyadaan” in 2008, and also examines some thematic areas with regard to family life, while emphasizing the challenges faced when confronted with the horrors of domestic abuse and its related effects.
The eleven cast members are Chris Gopaul, Nirmala Narine, Mahadeo Shivraj, Nazimul Hussein, Tonya Singh, Sonia Yarde, Simone Persaud, Keisha Narine, Romel Edmundson, Shonna Chowtie and Shawn Budhna.
According to a release from the IAC, it is their fervent hope that civil society, non-governmental and religious organizations, and Guyanese in general would not only support this venture, but also use the support as a mechanism to enhance awareness.
Domestic violence, now regarded as a gender-based violence, unfortunately continues to plague societies, with devastating effects in many instances. Often death, which is an ultimate outcome, overshadows the lingering trauma faced by surviving members, especially children.
“Their challenges in a broken home, while brought to the fore following a headline case, (are) quickly forgotten, since (they are) no longer in the media spotlight. Of course, another factor is because this case is being swiftly replaced by another on the front page. The cycle continues, unfortunately,” the IAC has said.
The word “fleeting” readily comes to mind. Given the general scenario of how people are pre-occupied with ensuring their well-being, a pause precipitated by a glance at a headline is noted.
At that moment, the outrage — if achieved — is either vociferously internalized or vented with those in proximity. Suggestions of what should have been done to prevent the tragedy, which has already taken place, or for the future, become abundant. Such reactions may be deemed a natural tendency; a tendency that is unfortunately short-lived; fleeting to be exact.
“It would not necessarily be inaccurate to note that another tendency is for all to rightly condemn but expect everyone else to become involved. The expectation is for others to raise a voice which if not muted and can not only be a cry for help, but a roar which can resonate to heighten awareness and to engineer behavioural change,” the IAC has said in its release.
Moreso, the seeming lack of cries can, in some way, be attributed to the perception of the stigma that such abuse may be confined to one section of society — a section which is not deprived of poverty.
Under these circumstances, it would not be challenging to posit that the absence of a roar may be because those who possess the related decibels are not stereotyped in the category noted. In other words, if one is not bothered, why bother, the IAC said.
It is in this context that the IAC feels compelled to stage another play, “When Chocolate Melts”, for which tickets are available at the NCC, and security will be provided for vehicles.
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