ASIA SCENE: With 'Subira', dream comes true for patient Kenyan writer

Subira is patience in Kiswahili, and the title of a unique cinematic crusade against traditions and norms of society that suppress a woman’s freedom.

Subira is not just a popular name for a girl child at the Kenyan coast, but is also a feature film, a dream come true and a crowning glory for the childhood passion of a Kenyan writer, director and film maker.

The Kenyan film by Sippy Chadha is all set to premier in Nairobi next month. It is based on Sippy’s short film of the same name, made a decade earlier, and the one that enjoyed tremendous success in Europe. It was also highly acclaimed by the audience and critics and won several African film festival awards.

The storyline is about Subira, born and brought up in an orthodox and tradition-bound Muslim family in the remote island of Lamu. The girl’s tyrannical mother wants her to follow tradition, learn household chores and prepare to be a good disciplined wife and forget about following a passion to be a swimmer.

The girl, however, has other plans and wishes to live by her own rules, no matter what society or people dictate. This rather absorbing family drama goes out to capture the paradox of modernity versus tradition.

Sippy Chadha, the director, who is a cousin of my theatrical associate and actor Surinder Chadha, says the film story comes from a place of deep personal experience and her own childhood passion.

LIVING HER DREAM

While growing up as a girl child in a traditional Indian household, her unique sense of self was brushed aside, directed to be domesticated and have an arranged marriage. She did marry and migrated to Kenya to become the mother of two children.

But she had the courage to live her dream and venture into a career that brought her fame and satisfaction. Her several award winning short films are testimony to this.

Subira is Sippy’s dream come true. It stars a galaxy of Kenya’s most loved and exceptional performing artistes. It is led by none other than Brenda Wairimu, the beauty that rocked the soap opera Mali and has played some heart-warming roles in many TV and stage shows.

TV host, vocalist and Kalasha Awards nominee Nice Githinji and veteran Melvin Alusa have prominent roles. The film also features young Kenyan Asian Tirath Padam, an exciting and promising on-screen discovery. Tirath has proved his acting and theatrical skills on stage at the Oshwal Centre in recent times.

For writer and director Sippy, her journey from the confines of tradition-bound society to self-realisation and confrontation with demons of suppression, and finally making the world see her point of view, is Subira — the crowning glory of a cherished dream.

It is time to support our local talent and exceptionally potent movie industry, and all our women folk who are struggling with a desire to break away from the orthodox confines and achieve freedom of choice and expression. Bravo Sippy and Subira; you are certainly heading for artistic and creative fulfilment.