Buang Suay is based on research material gathered from direct interviews with Indian (Tamil) sex workers (prostitutes) operating at various red-light areas in Singapore: Geylang, Desker Road and Petain Road (also known as Pokok Pisang). The play explores the life and dark experience of Kannagi, an illegal streetwalker selling her body on the streets of Geylang, Singapore. It focuses on the seedy, violent and intimidating background of the Indian streetwalkers controlled by pimps and demanding local clients from all walks of life and ethnicity. The play is not only about sexual exploitation but also domination and submission, socio-politics, history, culture, ethnicity, and racism. This will be the first time the voice of an unknown, oppressed and disempowered Tamil female is going to be heard on stage. Racism runs deep in our cultural unconscious. There is a skilful management of ethnic diversity in our socially conservative city state. You can try to eliminate (?) racial discrimination through laws but what about the minds of the populace? Buang Suay is a ritual of remembrance to confront the fear-response and comfort level of the Singaporean powers that be. The play is also a subtle exhumation of the oppressed Tamil psyche and documentation of memory.
Performed by: S R L Jothy, Ahamed Ali Khan, Nick Ng, Vishnu, Zakee bin Ismawee
Lighting & Stage Design by: Elangovan
Music (Guzheng) by: Tan Ai Woei
Production/Stage Management/Makeup by: S Thenmoli
Written & Directed by: Elangovan
(Source: Buang Suay and Other Plays)