A Hindi play ‘Khamosh Adaalat Jaari Hai’ was staged at Antrang Hall, Bharat Bhavan here on Tuesday. The play was staged as a part of the 15th Ranga Adhaar Theatre Festival, 2014.
Directed by Pragrati Vivek Pandey, the play was splendidly performed by the artists of Vivechna Rangmandal Jabalpur.The story begins with a group of people, who are planning to stage a play in a village. Since one of the cast members doesn't show up, a local is asked to replace him.To make him understand the courtroom procedures, a rehearsal is arranged with a mock trial.
But the story takes a twist when the pretend-play suddenly turns into a grim charge Miss Benare is charged with foeticide, as well as accused of having an illicit relationship with a married Professor Damle, the missing member of the cast.Unfulfilled desires, gender discrimination, certain redundant social customs and the sources and manifestations of power are some of the ideas this heavy drama tries to touch upon, which were relevant 40 years ago.
The fact is that some of these themes are not very pertinent today would be the biggest drawback of the play (since the script hasn't been altered).
A theatrical improvisation, which was initially intended to make new actor Samant understand how court proceedings take place, gradually takes shape of leela’s own life story, who at the tender age of 14 was sexually abused by her own maternal uncle.
The innocence of Benare was physically exploited first by her uncle and then by a married colleague of hers, whom she dared to truly love.The play is a mixed genre of comedy, drama and emotions put altogether to make a delicious recipe served to the audience.The artists won hearts by putting naiveté into their respective characters making it more natural.Ofcourse the direction was commendable and the lighting effect in each scene complicated the moods presented on stage.