March 2025: Dystopia, The Desi & The Delightful
- Anushka Ghose
- Mar 5
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 15
It's here! The month where we all celebrate world theatre day. Now while the day be much later on in the month (on the 27th to be specific) there's no reason why the festivities need to wait till then. Why not enjoy the lead up with some interesting and varied plays? Here's our list:
1.Avalanche | Hindustani
When: Wednesday, 5 March
Where: Prithvi Theatre
What: For nine months through the year the residents of a remote mountain village in India live in fear of being met with an avalanche. The only survival skill they know of: Silence. Hence people go about their day in hushed voices and whispers, and it’s all hunky dory… except, it actually really isn’t. Especially for that one pregnant woman who can give birth at any point of time now. An adaptation of a Turkish play of the same name, Avalanche takes a look at the suppression of voices under the guise of it being for the greater good. A community’s draconian laws in place to protect peace are eventually what lead to its downfall. An intense and unusual watch, the play is very well designed and something you definitely shouldn’t miss.
2.Des | Hindi
When: Thursday, 6 March onwards
Where: Rangshila
What:
A Sanhita Rangmanch Award-winning play, Des, is a satirical piece which although is set during the nascent days of Indian Independence, offers much insight into the country we live in today. It follows the story of a couple, who love each other, inspite of their vastly different political ideologies. In more ways than one, the play examines the macro versus the micro, in the face of issues that are of a national scale, where does the personal fall? A story of bias, empathy, love and solidarity, Des has much to offer and it does so with humour and compassion. As always Sandeep Shikhar is a treat to watch, it is however, Irawati Karnik who stands out with her stunning performance.
3.Naatak Express | English, Hindi, Marathi
When: Thursday & Friday, 6 & 7 March
Where: Rangshila
What:
This theatre festival is also a fundraiser for the arts! 12 plays across two days, all of which have been created right from scratch - conception, writing, directing and all that jazz, within just 24 hours. It’s an exciting experiment for all, a challenge for the creative team, but also exhilarating for an audience to witness. You never know what something like this might throw up. With seasoned writers and directors as well as young emerging ones, the bag is quite mixed - Amitosh Nagpal, Anitha Santhanam, Atif Ally Dagman, Chirag Khandelwal, Gurleen Judge, Alok Rajwade, Mallika Shah, among others. We’re quite excited to see the fresh work that emerges.
4.Vhay, I am Savitribai Phule | English
When: Saturday, 8 March
Where: Godrej Theatre, NCPA
What: Savitribai Phule remains to be a revered and respected name in India today, after all who knows how much longer the women of this country would have to wait before they were allowed to access education. She was the first Indian female teacher, a social reformer, she along with her husband worked quite tirelessly to dismantle the caste system as well. The situation today with respect to both these issues is far from ideal. Which is probably why Vhay I am Savitribai Phule as a play still remains relevant. This play has been running for 35 years and has been performed in multiple languages. Its timelessness perhaps can also be attributed to how it humanises Savitribai’s story. We witness her journey first hand, take joy in her victories and stand by her side during the challenges. Past audiences have enjoyed the simplicity and quiet nature of the performance while also lauding the ability of the actor to switch between roles effortlessly. Know more
5.Smile Please | Hindi
When: Saturday & Sunday, 15 & 16 march
Where: Prithvi House
What:
AKvarious productions is celebrating their silver jubilee. For the last 25 years they have presented a range of fascinating work, children's plays, comedies, family dramas, and what not. As a part of the celebration they are adding a Hindi political satire to the roster. Smile Please follows the story of a dystopian society where the government controls the ways in which people can express their emotions, happiness is rationed and only the affluent are allowed to smile. Directed by Akarsh Khurana and written by Adhir Bhat, Smile Please sounds like it’s going to be a hilarious yet thrilling watch and we can’t wait to see how it unfolds. Know More
6.Kavan | Hindi
When: Saturday 15 march onwards
Where: Rangshila Theatre
What:
Bejul has a cow, one is considered to be blessed, people come to visit this cow, give it money and that’s how Bejul and his family survive. That is until the temple believes that the cow belongs to them. Kavan is an Ambedkarite operatic satire about young Dalit experiences and what it means to be navigating dreams and desires in today's India - one where contradictions are abundant and caste and class politics are constantly . It’s an important story told through beautiful visuals, filled with poetry and uplifting songs. There’s interesting use of puppetry and some mesmerising graphics on the screen. Over all audiences have enjoyed how all the elements come together in this extremely relevant piece, so go check it out for yourself!
7.Beloved | Hindi, English
When: Saturday, 22 March
Where: Rangshila Theatre
What:
An anthology of queer stories brought together with music, poetry and an incredible amount of energy. This play has been to multiple theatre festivals such as Serendipity Arts Festival, Goa, International Theatre Festival of Kerala, Kerala and Windermere Festival, Bareilly, and it’s been well received across these different cities. Its appeal primarily lies in the uplifting treatment of text, the ensemble’s infectious energy and the plethora of heartwarming stories about self discovery.
8.Shikhandi | English, Hindi
When: 22 March Saturday
Where: Experimental Theatre, NCPA
What:
Faezeh Jalali’s Shikhandi has received numerous accolades through the years, including being a runner-up at the Sultan Padamsee Playwriting Awards 2016, Best Play at the Laadli Media Awards 2017, and Best Ensemble and Best Supporting Actor (Female) at META 2018. Along with these various honours, it has been received very well by audiences—a credit to its engaging storytelling. Apart from shedding light on one of the first-ever transgender narratives within Indian mythology, Shikhandi beautifully melds the story with an amalgamation of dance and martial arts. The form is energetic and captivating, and the deliberate, simplistic couplets through which the story is delivered further add to its charm. Check it out for yourself—head to the theatre and catch the story of Shikhandi: the reincarnation of Amba, born female, raised male, and eventually undergoing a sex change on their wedding night.
9.Great Text Readings
When: Monday, 31 March
Where: Andheri West
What:
For the last two decades, on the last Monday of every month, a bunch of like minded theatre enthusiasts find themselves gravitating to a small hallway in Andheri. Here they sit, huddled together with scripts in hand, a plate of biscuits and a glass of squash by their side. The warmth (emotional) is palpable. And the discussion after always proves to be… nourishing. Now for the last two iterations, the lot of readers have been travelling to outer space. As we await the announcement of the third installment of this season, we can be sure to look forward to more galactical adventures. Stay tuned to know more about the upcoming Great Text Reading.
