A theatre production featuring actors who are hearing impaired to be staged in Thiruvananthapuram

Want to be part of a novel theatre experience where silence speaks volumes? Oru Kalankitha Kudumba Satkaram (A Tainted Family Reception), a production by theatre practitioner Anjana Shajahan, is unique because the actors are hearing-impaired students of the National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH) in Thiruvananthapuram.Anjana, who is pursuing the Diploma in Indian Sign Language Interpretation (DISLI) course at NISH, has scripted and directed the play, which will be staged on September 25. There are 18 actors in the production, of which 12 are hearing impaired. Remaining six [including Anjana] are DISLI students, of which four are actors and they can hear; the other two work behind the scenes.The lead roles are played by hearing-impaired students. “Since I had just about a month to put this up, I felt that it would be better to have people who can hear and that’s why I included students of my batch as actors. Maybe next time I will work with only a hearing-impaired group.” Anjana Shajahan (centre) with the students during the rehearsal | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Anjana says sign language has always fascinated her, which eventually led her to join NISH for DISLI after completing her post-graduation in performing arts. “It has a beauty about it. As a theatre person, I have been more into physical theatre. While doing the course at NISH, I felt that it would be nice to do physical theatre using sign language.”Around the same time, she was working towards a fellowship on the topic — Embodied access: Physical theatre as a space for expression, well-being and inclusive theatre practice in the deaf community. “My idea was to do a theatre workshop in NISH for the hearing-impaired. The response surprised me. The head of our department was extremely supportive of the whole thing. It was she who suggested coming up with a play, as we are observing International Week of Deaf People now,” says Anjana. This year, it is observed from September 21 to 27. Rehearsal of the play in progress | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT The one-hour play is based on the pandemonium at a wedding reception. “Weddings have become a means to show off, with a lot of drama thrown in. I developed this concept and came up with the story of a family where a wedding reception is taking place. The family is picture-perfect in the eyes of others, but the reality is different. Certain truths are revealed at the reception and all hell breaks loose, something like the chaos at the end of a Priyadarshan movie!”Fact fileOn her background in theatre, Anjana says that she took up theatre because she wanted to do something different after completing her graduation in journalism. She found a mentor in theatre practitioner Sreejith Ramanan. Her first professional production was Sreejith’s work, Theendari Pacha.A native of Peyad in Thiruvananthapuram, she has been active since 2022 as a performer, director, workshop facilitator for professional and educational theatre productions and collaborative performance practices. Her current focus is on “developing Deaf Theatre through Indian Sign Language (ISL)”.She did her post-graduation (Master of Performing Arts in Theatre) from SN School of Arts & Communication, University of Hyderabad.Her other works as a performer include Baaki Ithihas, Before Breakfast, The Letters of Virginia Woolf, Fractions, Komram Bheem, and Ubu Roi. She has directed and acted in Pokkilkodi. Her other directorial ventures are Two Fridas and Pakkalam, which was staged at Kochi Biennale.Anjana adds that while she came up with the story and script, the students pitched in with their suggestions, and that really helped. “It was a new medium for them, and they didn’t know the difference between physical theatre and normal theatre. So instead of theatre, I used the sign for dance. What amazed me was the precision with which they moved around on stage. Sometimes, even an eye contact was enough as a cue.” Anjana Shajahan | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT The challenges were many. “Since they were not used to doing theatre, the students were not serious about it initially. That was quite disappointing. But that changed later. Also, I am not proficient in sign language and had my doubts about conveying certain things. Help came from a batchmate who is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults).”Visual and audio elements will be used in the play. The dialogues will be projected on screen for the audience. “Some people think that sign language is all about gestures, whereas it is a language with a complicated structure. The play has a soundscape as well. The hearing levels of the actors are different. For example, some can hear loud sounds.” As for music, she adds that they have included a song interpretation as well.She also mentions that they raised funds by circulating a poster about the play among friends and well-wishers. “We needed ₹20,000 and could raise it with their support.”The play will be staged at Thamp, Peroorkkada, on September 25 at 6.30pm. Entry free (first come first serve basis).