ABSTRACT
The play, Avinash, by Shanta Gokhale is interpreted as a reflection of the society and its ignorance towards pressing issues like mental illness. This research paper indulges into the symbolism of the play and tries to look for meanings within the family's contrasting viewpoints on mental illness. This paper establishes that the play tries to present the dark side of ‘family’ which is generally considered a signifier of stability, care and concern. It shows how the silences, denials, and repressions occurring within the family harm the individual well-being as well as the integrity of the family. This study positions Avinash as a significant work by a woman playwright that confronts the personal and social consequences of untreated mental illness.
