The cultural landscape of Kolkata is set to be enriched this November as the much-anticipated Sabhagar Theatre Festival makes its return to the city. Scheduled from 12 to 16 November 2025, the festival will transform G D Birla Sabhagar into a vibrant hub of theatrical excellence, showcasing five carefully selected productions from across India.
A Diverse Lineup of National Productions
This year's festival presents a compelling mix of theatrical works representing different regions and artistic approaches. The lineup includes Meanwhile Elsewhere by Darpana from Ahmedabad, Meghe Dhaka Ghatak by Chetana from Kolkata, Kaumudi by D for Drama from Mumbai, and Autobiography by Prime Theatre Company, also from Mumbai. Each production brings unique perspectives and storytelling techniques that reflect the diversity of contemporary Indian theatre.
The Nights: A Puppetry Masterpiece Takes Center Stage
At the heart of this year's festival lies The Nights by Katkatha Puppet Theatre from Delhi, directed by the renowned Anurupa Roy. Widely celebrated as one of India's most inventive voices in contemporary puppetry, Roy brings a revolutionary approach to the art form. She views puppetry not merely as the manipulation of figures but as a dynamic meeting point of sculpture, masks, objects, bodies, sound, and narrative.
Roy's innovative methodology treats puppets and actors as equal partners on stage, with each element influencing the mood and momentum of the performance. This collaborative approach creates a unique theatrical experience that challenges traditional boundaries between different performance elements.
Reimagining Scheherazade's Story
The Nights, written by playwright Neel Chaudhuri in collaboration with writer Adithi Rao, offers a fresh perspective on the world of Scheherazade from the classic collection One Thousand and One Nights. Rather than presenting the familiar tales, the production shifts focus to Scheherazade herself, portraying her as a survivor, witness, and a woman who wields storytelling as both a means of presence and protection.
The work delves deep into how stories are shaped not only by their tellers but also by their audiences. It explores the various contexts in which tales have been shared throughout history—as entertainment in bustling markets, as moral lessons for children, and as vessels carrying the dreams and fears of those seeking power.
Through the innovative use of sculpted figures, carefully choreographed light shifts, and the deliberate movement of performers, The Nights reveals the fascinating journey of stories as they travel across time and cultures. This central production exemplifies the festival's commitment to presenting theatre that is thoughtful, multi-layered, and vibrantly alive.
With this carefully curated selection of performances, the Sabhagar Theatre Festival invites Kolkata audiences to immerse themselves in an experience that celebrates the power of storytelling and the endless possibilities of contemporary Indian theatre.
