A courtroom where society is on trial

Mandala Theatre Nepal is set to present 'Shhh Iijlas Jari Cha,' a new play delving into societal prejudices, stereotypes, and gender roles. The production is the outcome of a six-week theatre workshop involving 15 actors who now form the cast.

The play is a Nepali adaptation of Vijay Tendulkar's acclaimed Marathi work, 'Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe.' Directed by Gunjan Dixit, the narrative follows an amateur theatre group staging a mock courtroom drama. As the performance unfolds, the distinction between the play and reality becomes increasingly blurred, with a central focus on the status of women and societal influences on their lives.

Director Gunjan Dixit found the female protagonist, Devayani, to be a layered character. She aimed to preserve the character's authenticity while directing through a female perspective. "She is someone who attempts to make her own decisions in a setting that is quick to nitpick and punish them," Dixit stated, noting that this conflict significantly influenced their artistic choices. The theatre has previously implemented the metatheatre concept, a play-within-a-play structure, in productions like 'Grand Rehearsal,' which effectively mirrors the themes discussed.

'Shhh Iijlas Jari Cha' runs from July 3 to 26 at Mandala Theatre in Thapagaun, with performances daily at 5:30 pm. The play lasts for 1 hour and 30 minutes.

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She is someone who attempts to make her own decisions in a setting that is quick to nitpick and punish them.