How Extreme Heat Affects Women | Kattaikuthu Meets Climate Change | #Asar #Kattaikuthu #ExtremeHeat

Extreme heat is changing everyday life. But how does it affect women, children and the communities around them? Veppathin Veriyattam: A Frenzied Dance of Heat uses Kattaikuthu, a traditional Tamil theatre form, to bring the realities of extreme heat and climate change to life through music, humour, memorable characters and storytelling. Developed by Thilagavathi Palani from Thilagam Theatre Group in collaboration with Asar, this 45-minute performance explores how rising temperatures affect daily routines, children's learning and wellbeing, and the lives of people who are more vulnerable to extreme heat. The video brings together reflections from artists, audience members and an expert on the ways extreme heat affects women, pregnant people, babies, children and older people. It also asks a larger question: Who is responsible for the environmental changes we are experiencing? The performance was presented in the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) Annual Conference 2026, themed “Building Gender-Just Food, Land and Water Systems.” The conference recognised women's contributions to agriculture, fisheries, pastoralism, biodiversity conservation, food and nutrition security, and sustainable rural livelihoods. Can traditional art and culture help make climate communication more meaningful and accessible? Watch the performance and share your reflections in the comments. #Kattaikuthu #ExtremeHeat #ClimateChange #ClimateCommunication #GenderAndClimate #ClimateCulture #Asar