Do you want to be a part of a unique theater experience where silence speaks volumes? Oru Kalanikit Kudumba Satkaram (A Tainted Family Reception), produced by theater practitioner Anjana Shajahan, is unique as 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. The production has 18 participants, 12 of whom are hearing impaired and six are DISLI students, including Anjana. “Among the DISLI students, four are artists [who can hear] And the other two work behind the scenes.”
The main role is played by hearing-impaired students. “Since I had about a month to put it together, I thought it would be better to have people who can hear and that’s why I included students from my batch as actors. Maybe next time I’ll work only with a hearing-impaired group.”
Anjana Shahjahan (centre) with students during rehearsal. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Anjana says that sign language has always fascinated her, which eventually led her to join NISH for DISLI after completing her post graduation in Performing Arts. “There’s a beauty about it. As a theater person, I’m more interested in physical theater. While taking a course at NISH, I thought it would be cool to do physical theater using sign language.”
Around the same time, she was working towards a fellowship on the topic – Embodied Access: Physical Theater as a Space for Expression, Well-Being, and Inclusive Theater Practice in the Deaf Community. Anjana says, “My idea was to do a theater workshop at NISH for hearing impaired people. The response surprised me. The head of our department was extremely supportive of the whole thing. It was he who suggested coming up with a play, since we are now celebrating the International Week of the Deaf.” This year, it is celebrated from 21st to 27th September.
Rehearsal of the play is going on. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The one-hour drama is based on the chaos at a wedding reception. “Weddings have become a vehicle for pretense, with a lot of drama thrown in. I developed the concept and came up with the story of a family where a wedding reception is being held. This family is perfect in the eyes of others, but the reality is different. At the reception, certain truths are revealed and everything falls apart, a bit like the chaos at the end of a Priyadarshan film!”
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Regarding her background in theatre, Anjana says that she chose theater because she wanted to do something different after completing her graduation in journalism. He found a mentor in theater businessman Srijit Ramanan. His first commercial production was Srijit’s work, Thendari Pacha.
A native of Peyad, Thiruvananthapuram, she has been active since 2022 as a performer, director, workshop facilitator for professional and educational theater productions and collaborative performance practices. His current focus is on “Development of Deaf Theater through Indian Sign Language (ISL)”.
He did his post-graduation (Master of Performing Arts in Theatre) from SN School of Arts and Communication, University of Hyderabad.
His other works as an artist include The Rest of History, Before Breakfast, Virginia Woolf’s Letters, Fractions, Komram Bheem, And Ubu cried. He has directed and acted in Pokkilakodi. His other directorial ventures are two fridays And pakkalamWhich was staged at the Kochi Biennale.
Anjana further says that when she came up with the story and script, the students gave their suggestions and that really helped. “They weren’t as familiar with physical theater as theater practice. So instead of theater, I used cues for dance. What amazed me was the precision with which they were moving around the stage. Sometimes, even eye contact as a cue was enough.”
Anjana Shahjahan Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
There were many challenges. “Since they were not used to doing theatre, the students were not serious about it initially. It was quite disappointing. But that changed later. Also, I am not proficient in sign language and I was skeptical in conveying certain things. Help came from a batchmate who is CODA (Child of Deaf Adults).”
The play will use visual and audio elements. 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 complex structure. There is also a sound landscape in the play. Actors have different levels of hearing. For example, some people can hear loud sounds.” As far as music is concerned, she says she has also included an interpretation of a song.
He also mentioned that he raised funds by circulating a poster about the play among friends and well-wishers. “We needed ₹20,000 and we could raise it with their support.”
The play will be staged on September 25 at 6.30 pm at Thamp, Peroorkada. Entry free (on first come first serve basis). Contact: 9496546902(THAMP)
published – September 23, 2026 10:50 am IST