Pwaa: Unspeakable things in the Belly

Pwaa: Unspeakable things in the Belly - Ujjwala Maharjan, Pushpa Palanchoke, Sarada Dongol and Yaju Acharya

Pwaa or “Unspeakable things in the Belly” is a series of musical monologues in Newah/Newari, English, and Nepali about sexual abuse and intimidation women and girls suffer inside their homes or within families, often in silence.

This third release from the Apwoh Misa Project is quite personal to me. It is a reminder of where I come from. What my grandmother(s) had had to endure, in silence, for me to have my voice. That my life, story, voice - is a continuation of theirs. And I must speak.

Song Credit:
Vocals and lyrics: Ujjwala Maharjan
Vocals and composition: Pushpa Palanchoke
Percussion: Sarada Dongol
Flute: Yaju Acharya

Dapha song: Modified cover of Saraswati Maaju (Rag Basanta) from Tahnani Dapha Khalah, Kirtipur

Recorded by Pushpa Palanchoke
Sound design by ‪@SoundandMelodies‬

Video Credit:
Director: Kshitiz
Cinematographer: Sunny Deshar
Colorist: Yelyzaveta Vysochyn
Editor: Sujan Niraula
Lights and Assistant Director: Kshitiz Parajuli
Producer: Voices of Women Media

Dance artist and choreographer (Kathak): Subima Shrestha
Movement choregrapher: Sudam CK
Movement artists: Saluja Siwakoti and Nistha Tripathi

Stylist: Suvexa Pradhan Tuladhar
Makeup artist: Sushmita Bogati

Jewelry by: Ne Nepal

Lachha installation Artist: Meni
Sangram Official

Nepali Translation: Kshitiz Parajuli / Ujjwala Maharjan
English Translation: Nasala Chitrakar / Ujjwala Maharjan

Video supported by:
Voices of Women Media & The Goethe-Zentrum Kathmandu

Video Presented by:
Gulmohar Research and Creations & Fade Out Pictures

Special thanks to
Sandesh Ghimire, Rishav, Stephanie Smith, Pooja Pant, Bikkil Sthapit, Maiya Maharjan Kaji Ratna Maharjan, Keshari Maharjan Shilpakar, Bunu Dhungana, Rahul Giri, Rajendra Maharjan and Harisiddhi Brick and Tile Factory