Ila Arun is already an established name in the music industry who has earned the status of the undisputed queen of Indian folk music with her rustic voice. However, he is also an equally accomplished actor and director. The Nigodi Kaisi Jawaani Hai singer also directed a play on postpartum depression, Baby’s Blues, which was staged recently. During an exclusive chat with News18.com, she revealed that she was not aware of the concept of postpartum depression and came to know about it when she came across Tammy Ryan’s play.
The singer, along with her actress-daughter Ishita Arun, was also a part of a symposium organized by ‘COTO’, an exclusive global society of women, where she spoke at length about the pressures on women after motherhood and pregnancy. Ishita, who joined the chat with us, opened up about her mental state after giving birth to her child and many more.
Excerpts:
Tell us a little about the Coto app and how it aims to help women.
Ishita Arun: I have been with Koto for more than two months. It’s just women starting conversations and discussing things they usually avoid discussing on other platforms. This is a unique, distinguishing factor that sets this app apart from others. Plus, it’s a fresh change from the usual social media practices right now and it’s really committed to its members.
How many women at this stage are aware of its existence and how many are using it?
Ishita: People related to Koto are reaching and discussing about it. But like anything sustainable, it’s a slow approach. It is reaching the people and the visitors are not leaving it. So women are learning about it and it is picking up, but at a very healthy pace.
You did a play on postpartum depression (Baby’s Blues). Tell us about that.
Ila Arun: My play is an insight into what postpartum depression is. It is very unfortunate to see young mothers suffering from postpartum depression to any extent and my play addresses that issue. This is a very important subject and no one has attempted such a thing in India. They always shy away from talking about this topic. I didn’t know what postpartum depression was until I bought Tammy Ryan’s play. The author was suffering from post natal depression and went on to research and create this beautiful play.
I belong to a family of seven sisters and my mother always supported me. In the olden days, women were sent to their own families after giving birth so that they could be supported. But if it is a nuclear family then there is none and that is where all the depression comes in.
We have a very dear friend Shweta Kawatra (actress) and she suffered for five years. She was ready to kill herself. Now, she has overcome her problems and is in a position where she can share her thoughts with young mothers. Being a mother is a blessing from God and it is very unfortunate that women have to suffer due to hormonal, social or emotional changes. After watching the drama, you will know to what extent postpartum depression can reach. There can be a very critical situation.
After you became a mother, was there a period for you where you went through a similar thing?
Ishita Arun: I think every new mother goes through it at different levels. And it depends on the person how severe or how long this phase lasts. There are mothers too who go through such phases. In my particular case, I’m sure I must have gone through some sort of postpartum blues. It was not diagnosed but after living it and reading a lot about it I can safely assume it was in the vicinity.
The picture of motherhood is very beautiful and the older generation has a fix for it but no explanation is given. People tell you to try many things but there is no logical explanation. No one can prepare you for motherhood and it really isn’t a black-and-white situation. Sometimes you have the best people in your environment, but you can’t articulate what you’re going through mentally or you’re just not used to asking for that kind of help because it’s not culturally accepted. So there are many things.
It doesn’t really depend on whether you have a large family or your in-laws are there for you. It depends on whether you are working out of mutual respect and love. Even if there is a generational gap between your parents, when you see your child suffering despite disagreements about why they are suffering, you may want to step forward and try to understand. That doesn’t even make it across the bridge in most Indian households where it gets brushed under the rug.
The drama depicts a segregated family where a heightened sensitivity to mental health is second to none. It reflects the reality of a vast number of women across the world. And this drama shows you playing all these things so that you can understand what you are missing.
Ishita, talking about your films and shows, how was it to be a part of such an ensemble and strong cast in Rana Naidu?
Ishita: Looking back, it is really amazing to be associated with such great actors and respected people in their field. For me, Rana Naidu was and is an expression of self-confidence. This year I started pushing my own boundaries and this is the first thing I have done with regards to work.
On Rana Naidu’s women:
Ishita: Everyone is talking about it being a male-dominated show, but I feel women are very important in it, especially my character because she, unlike many women, is in a troubled, loveless, abusive marriage. is hiding. So it was a dream to play that character and I keep thanking my stars that I got this opportunity. I think women are very multifaceted, and they have a lot going on in their lives.
You’d be surprised how much they can handle and the flexibility they can come up with. So I got an opportunity to dive deeper into that aspect.
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