Lokmanya’s 1908 trial goes on stage in Pune

Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s trial of 1908 under British rule was brought alive once more by students of Symbiosis Law School at the Vishwabhavan auditorium on Tuesday evening.

Law students from across the city turned up for the programme.
Speaking to mediapersons, Shashikala Gurpur, director of Symbiosis Law School, said the trial was important for law students, who put it up because theatre was an effective mode of learning.

“The idea of dramatisation of this trail was conveyed to us by our chancellor, SB Majumdar, after the book Black Coat was released. On April 20, we started preparations and it was a great challenge. That’s because the research required was tremendous and we had to hybridise theatre with legal elements keeping a tab on history and ethicality of a court trial,” said Gurpur.

She said the trial was of special importance not just because of the personality, but also because it was an example of a battle fought before a biased jury, unheeding judge and fierce opposition from governing forces. “It teaches students the power of truth and belief in one’s convictions as well as ethics which are important lessons in a lawyer’s life,” said Gurpur.

Deepak Tilak, vice-chancellor of Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth University and grandson of Lokmanya Tilak, was invited as a special guest for the event.