Ambaa: Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Ways

The history of the world is riddled with wars. For centuries, men have waged wars against men. But what is it that these men want? Do they want wealth? Do they want land? Do they want power? Or do they just want war? It is the continuity of wars since the beginning of civilisation that makes me believe that war is the aim of all wars.

Ambaa interrupts this norm of war, and it does so loudly. It doesn’t whisper, it shouts at the top of its lungs. It is based on ancient Greek playwright Aristophanes’ Lysistrata, a comic account of Lysistrata’s resolve to end the war between Greek city-states by engaging in a unique form of protest: denying sex to men from both warring sides. Ambaa reflects the realities of yesterday, today and perhaps tomorrow.

At its heart stands a clever, fearless, and just a little bit mischievous woman—Ambaa. She is frustrated and angry, but she is also determined. Instead of accepting the chaos around her, she decides that ordinary women can influence the course of events and the destiny of their nations in extraordinary ways.

The brilliance of the play lies in how it seamlessly blends satire with social commentary. Through playful dialogues and monologues and outrageous scenarios, it reflects on power, conflict, and the voices that often go unheard. But it is never a simple moral lesson in either pacifism or equality.

Ambaa is personal, complex, flawed, impulsive and human, just like its characters. Personal is very much political, and the play never shies away from it. Each and every character that takes the stage is tangled with ambitions, personal desires shaped by social responsibilities and gender roles.

What makes the play unforgettable is its captivating tone. Ambaa doesn’t preach. It slaps you on your face and makes you confront what is often unsaid and unthought. With its absurd situations, intricate metaphors, sharp commentary, and unstoppable energy, it teases, jokes, and exaggerates, using humour as its ‘weapon.’

Ambaa is a determined woman with a plan, but so are the men who stand in her way. Find out who will prevail in her war against war — catch Ambaa live at the 21st edition of the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards.

Thursday, 19th March 2026
8:00 PM
Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi
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