An automatic life sentence

Aadhe Adhure, a 1969 play about a woman trapped ina life she didn’t design and doesn't want, can feel stifling, disturbing, resonant. A recent revival by NSD is a riveting watch

- Poonam Saxena

Last month, I went to see a play staged by the National School of Drama (NSD).

It wasn’t just any play; it was a revival of the landmark Aadhe Adhure. Written in 1969 by Mohan Rakesh, it shook the theatre world then, and is regarded as a modern classic today.

It is fitting that Aadhe Adhure should be revived now; 2025 marks Mohan Rakesh’s centenary year (he lived from 1925 to 1972).

What made the revival more special was that NSD brought back the stellar cast from their production 35 years ago, led by the supremely talented duo of Ravi Khanvilkar and Pratima Kazmi. That 1990 production was directed by Tripurari Sharma (1956-2023) and, asa mark of respect, the play was reenacted along the lines she set, and carried her name as director.

I have read Aadhe Adhure and seen it staged before, but I was still spellbound by the searing intensity that grabs you by the collar from the first scene and doesn't iet go until the end.