Previous Events

Some stories are so memorable, one cannot help but revisit them in search of more layers. Gentlemen's Club returns for its third run at the theatre. The show follows the lives of various drag kings, set in the thriving underground club scene of Mumbai. The protagonist Shamsher - an homage to Shammi Kapoor - is joined by a motley crew of women who revel in the art of drag performance. Using dance, music and visuals, this show weaves a comedic and provocative tale of women who celebrate the masquerade of masculinity. For ages 16 and above.

A tongue-in-cheek retelling of the story of Aravan from the epic 'Mahabharata'. Contemporary dialogues characteristic of Tahira Nath's writing, merge with an ancient and little known mythological tale in this boisterous comedy complete with its own dance numbers. Set against the backdrop of trans folk journeying to Koovagam for a grand celebration, the plot follows young Aravan in search of his father, (the great Pandava warrior Arjuna) and the unique challenge he faces one night. The performance draws on forms like Odissi, Karagattam, and Kalaripayattu, accompanied by lively soundtrack of Tamil folk music. Directed by Amey Mehta. For ages 16 & above.

Ana Pinhal is a Portuguese vocalist who specialises in the Fado style of music. Fado found its home in the local pubs and cafes of Lisbon in the 1820s. Popular in the cultural milieu of sailors and courtesans, it is full of tunes that are both heartrending and hopeful. Ana and her accompanists bring this slice of Portuguese culture to India and demonstrate its accessibility and transcendency across continents and cultures.

A wandering warrior arrives in a strange little town that has been under the monstrous rule of a Rakshas. What follows is a fantastical fable of adventure and triumph brought to life by the actors of the Tadpole Repertory, Delhi. Based on Yevgeny Schwarz's 1943 play The Dragon, the performance is reminiscent of wondrous childhood bedtime stories while retaining a mature undertone of self aware humour. Colourful creatures and characters populate this theatrical spectacle that prompts audiences to reflect on the 'Rakshas' that lives within us all. Directed by Bikram Ghosh and supported by the India Foundation for the Arts Fund. For ages 12 and above.

Regula Schwab's violin and Lucien Dubuis' bass clarinet come together to create Baroque Jazz tunes peppered with undertones of contemporary swiss music. This duo "Krond Flast" bring their experience in improvisation and cinematic soundscapes to weave a visually stimulating sound experience that is vibrant, comforting and playful.

Ashwath Bhatt, a Mumbai-based screen and stage artist, decodes the enigma and idiosyncrasies of Manto, in the guise of Manto himself. A cultivated resemblance in physicality and mannerisms makes this a memorable solo performance. Correlating his writing with the political climate of the time, this performance follows Manto as he contemplates his journey, changing mindsets, family life and poetry before an audience. Produced by Maneesh Verma. For ages 16 & above.

Dramatic readings of two classic stories in the original text, then a bridge language - so that audiences can enjoy the cadence of the source language while being able to access its content. Acclaimed actor and dastango Danish Husain will enact the trials and tribulations of the arab hero Amir Hamza in a theatrical narration of Muhammad Husain Jah's Tilism-e-Hoshruba. Saattvic will follow with the story of the composition of the Natyashastra, an ancient Sanskrit text on the performing arts, and the difficulties that arose when the world's first play was made. For ages 16 and above.

Acclaimed actor Danish Husain comes together with renowned vocalist Vidya Shah to create a musical evening remembering Begum Akhtar. Interspersed with anecdotes from the Begum's life, Shah draws inspiration from her own training under Akhtar's disciple, Shanti Hiranand to represent Akhtar's work in different musical genres. Renowned for the stirring cadence in her voice, Akhtari Bai Faizalabadi gave up a glamorous career in hindi cinema to pursue a life immersed in Indian classical music. Thereafter, she amassed an extensive repertoire of thumris, ghazals and dadras to her name. Husain and Shah collaborate to tell Begum Akhtar's story in the way they have understood her - as a musical enchantress, a heartbroken lover or a wife in search of acceptance. For ages 16 and above.

A rare chance to watch a master up close as he works through his magic. Taleem with grammy nominated sitarist Ustad Shujaat Khan is a powerful re-establishment of the fundamentals of Hindustani classical music. The development of a raag will be deconstructed and then effortlessly woven back in a vivid illustration of the intricacies of the genre. Ustad Shujaat Khan, the seventh-generation scion of the Imdad Khani Gharana, is also a specialist in the gayaki ang - a style of playing the sitar that mimics the sound of human voice. A departure from the concert format, this intimate recital presents a fascinating journey into the oldest form of Indian music to exist. This program was enabled by the support of the Jaquar Group. For ages: 14 and above.

Delhi’s well known ‘contemporary fusion’ band Advaita presents ‘Unison’ - a special concert to mark 14 years of their journey in music. Advaita’s sound is a kaleidoscope of melodies, rhythms and moods drawn from diverse influences ranging from Indian Classical to ambient rock, jazz and electronic music. Unison will witness Advaita performing a unique, intimate set, showcasing the evolution of their sound. The band will perform a lot of material never heard before and present an immersive sound and light experience for the audience. For ages 16 and above.

Maya Rao uses cabaret to present satirical commentary on our current affairs. She draws from the flair and drama of Kathakali, and employs a live soundscape and recitation in this one-woman-variety show. Each vignette seamlessly combines visual and performed elements, in which she asks some thought provoking and pertinent questions, peppered with humour. For ages 16 and above. Sound designers and performers- Sumant Balakrishnan & Sudheer Rikhari, Lights & Stage-Tech quartet, Costume- Pratima Pandey and Varun Sardana, Video operation- Anuj Chopra, Publicity Stills- Anwar.

Facilitator Susan Dias (Director, Native Brews, Mumbai), will introduce participants to the basics of a home bar, including set up equipment, beverage and glass selection and finally mixology. Over the course of the evening, participants will explore Bourbon and Tennessee classics - Jim Beam and Jack Daniel's, and learn how to make 3 whiskey cocktails. Susan will guide participants with instructions and demonstrations to help them mix well known cocktails like Mint Julep, Whiskey Sour & the Manhattan. For ages 25 and above.