Vijoy Tendulkar’s "Silence! The Court is in Session": The Plight of Miss Benare

Unveiling Benare's Struggle: "Silence! The Court is in Session" by Vijay Tendulkar

 The Subjugation of Miss Benare: Unveiling Patriarchy's Grip

"Silence! The Court is in Session" by Vijay Tendulkar is a thought-provoking play that delves into various social issues and explores the plight of Miss Benare, one of the central characters.

The play revolves around a group of amateur actors who gather to perform a mock trial in a village. Miss Benare, a schoolteacher, is chosen to play the role of a woman accused of having an illegitimate child. As the mock trial progresses, the line between fiction and reality becomes blurred, and the true nature of the characters is exposed.

Miss Benare, initially seen as a confident and strong woman, gradually becomes the target of humiliation and judgment by the other members of the group. The play highlights the patriarchal nature of society and the prejudices faced by women in a conservative environment. It underscores the power dynamics that exist within the group, with the male members exerting control over Miss Benare and subjecting her to emotional and psychological abuse.

Challenging Societal Norms: Miss Benare's Battle for Freedom and Gender Equality

Throughout the play, Tendulkar skillfully presents the themes of hypocrisy, moral judgment, and the oppression of women. Miss Benare's plight serves as a representation of countless women who are silenced and victimized by societal norms and expectations. Her character embodies the struggles of women who are forced to conform to oppressive standards and are denied the opportunity to express their true selves.

Tendulkar's "Silence! The Court is in Session" forces the audience to reflect on the inherent biases and prejudices that exist within society. By shedding light on the mistreatment of Miss Benare, the play serves as a wake-up call, urging individuals to question oppressive systems and advocate for gender equality.

 Benare wanted to live a free life, free from the patriarchal dominance and the conservative norms of the society. She displays self-determination, self -assertiveness and cynicism but is also receptive to the conventional norms of integrity. Tendulkar has tried to initiate the new form by commenting on the mendacity of the social and ethical standards existing in the society.  Ms. Benare studied and established herself as a teacher. She fell in love with Prof. Damle as a young woman in spite of her previous failure in a love with her maternal uncle. Prof. Damle was a married man who also wanted to satisfy his bodily thirst. She was pregnant without marriage and this was a reason that she was discharged from her school.

A Reluctant Role: Benare's Dilemma in the Mock Court Rehearsal

Benare is an educated woman about thirty-four years old. She worked as a schoolteacher. She was also associated with an amateur dramatic alliance, whose prime purpose was to educate the public with social and current issues. The association chose to educate people with procedures of a court of law. They arrived on the spot quite early, thus they decided to have a rehearsal of mock court. Benare was reluctant to perform the role of an accused but this reluctance was ignored. The playwright endeavors to create a game-like no serious atmosphere. But soon the imaginary charges led to personal dilemmas.

The Unveiling of Benare's Past: Trapped in the Court's Clutches

Benare is seen in a cheerful mood of flamboyance, but she gets her first blow, when Ponkshe, a scientist, says, “She runs after men too much.” Karnik, one of the characters, Says that Benare was in love with her maternal uncle but the affair ended in fiasco. He further “reveals’ her past life by saying that she first proposed to Ponkshe and then tried to deceive Rokde, a young boy. Benare tries to leave the court but becomes upset when all doors all automatically bolted from outside. In fact, she is trapped and can’t escape. Furthermore, Mrs. Kashikar executes physical violence to drag Benare to the dock. She has another damaging view against Benare. She does not hesitate to say that these young unmarried girls get everything without marrying. She shows her doubt, how can Benare remain unmarried till the age of thirty-four?

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Silence! The Court is in Session" by Vijay Tendulkar masterfully portrays the plight of Miss Benare, highlighting the challenges faced by women in a patriarchal society. The play serves as a powerful commentary on societal norms and the need for individuals to speak up against injustice and oppression. 

Dramatic Technique as Revealed in Vijay Tendulkar’s Play, Silence! The Court is In Session - An Analysis

Ardhendu De