Theatre Review: Khamosh, Adalat Jari Hai

Play : Khamosh, Adalat Jari Hai
Directed by : Dinesh Thakur
Duration : 125 minutes
Cast : Preeta Mathur, Shanker Iyer, Akshay Sharma, Aman Gupta & others
Rating : 1.5
If you’re to watch a powerful story about a woman, who’s at the mercy of ‘social forces that threaten to engulf her’ for more than two hours on stage, the least you’ll expect is a gripping scene-to-scene enactment, that doesn’t drag endlessly.And if not that, then some power-packed performances. Unfortunately, Khamosh, Adalat Jari Hai fails in both aspects.
This drama is the Hindi translation of Vijay Tendulkar’s best known Marathi play Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe (1967), a tale which is a metaphorical trial between the humanists and the anti-humanists. 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. You would think that the fact 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). Of course, the audiences have changed and Khamosh could do with a contemporary set up. But that’s not even the biggest problem.
Why? Because even today, extra-marital affairs and live-ins are frowned upon and foeticide and child abuse are considered unacceptable crimes. It’s the length of the play which is an eyesore. For the first 20 minutes, the story simply crawls at a slow pace, trying to build an ambience, but it only gets the spectator frustrated.The play oscillates between reality and illusion, which can confuse you, if you aren’t paying close attention (which is bound to happen). Yet there is a silver lining. You’re occasionally provided laughs by the Kashikars and Samant, which are a breather. But that’s about it.
Finally, in a hard-hitting drama like this, you expect to be moved to tears by the plight of the main protagonist. In this case, Leena, enacted by Preeta Mathur attempts that with her 10 minute soliloquy. But by then you’re so restless, you’re just waiting for this dragfest to end.