Event Collections

An exploration of the complex relationships between the individual, society, and the divine by delving deeper into Draupadi’s experience.

The characters of this play are metaphors for larger existential forces. Draupadi represents womanhood, Kunti embodies society, Krishna stands for God or the universe, and the Pandavas, along with Karna, symbolize the male experience. This central tension – the woman’s confrontation with the traditions of society, the men around her, and eventually with the divine – drives the narrative.

God’s Lioness is a play rich in Metaphor, Puppetry, and Masks manifested through Chau and Kathakali. Experience a new Theatrical Form which is not merely a retelling of the Mahabharat; it is a reinterpretation that merges traditional Indian theatrical forms with contemporary storytelling.

Ultimately, this play invites the audience to confront the question : In a world where the forces of fate, society, and the divine seem so much larger than us, what choice do we have? The answer, we believe, is that we must choose, like Draupadi, to define our own existence, to embrace our agency, and to live with the consequences of those choices.

An exploration of the complex relationships between the individual, society, and the divine by delving deeper into Draupadi’s experience.

The characters of this play are metaphors for larger existential forces. Draupadi represents womanhood, Kunti embodies society, Krishna stands for God or the universe, and the Pandavas, along with Karna, symbolize the male experience. This central tension – the woman’s confrontation with the traditions of society, the men around her, and eventually with the divine – drives the narrative.

God’s Lioness is a play rich in Metaphor, Puppetry, and Masks manifested through Chau and Kathakali. Experience a new Theatrical Form which is not merely a retelling of the Mahabharat; it is a reinterpretation that merges traditional Indian theatrical forms with contemporary storytelling.

Ultimately, this play invites the audience to confront the question : In a world where the forces of fate, society, and the divine seem so much larger than us, what choice do we have? The answer, we believe, is that we must choose, like Draupadi, to define our own existence, to embrace our agency, and to live with the consequences of those choices.

Golden Bazaar is a powerful and emotionally charged play set in the vibrant yet contrasting world of Kolkata. At its heart is the story of Aakash and Vijeta, a young couple deeply in love and excitedly planning their future together, including their dream honeymoon to Mauritius. Aakash works a steady corporate job, while Vijeta, a passionate college student and dedicated member of an NGO, fights for the rights and dignity of women and children living in red-light districts. She believes fiercely in independence, equality, and justice—values she hopes to instill in the youth of India.

However, the relationship takes a shocking turn when Aakash makes a life-altering mistake: a one-night stand with a colleague. Broken but determined to reclaim her sense of agency, Vijeta reluctantly forgives him—but on one condition: she will commit an act of equal betrayal before their marriage. Aakash agrees, thinking it will be symbolic. But fate has different plans.

What begins as a reactionary decision spirals unexpectedly when Vijeta’s path leads her into Sonagachi, one of Asia’s largest and most complex red-light districts—known as the Golden Bazaar. Here, she comes face to face with the very world she has spent years trying to reform. Trapped in circumstances beyond her control, Vijeta must fight not just to escape, but to protect her identity, dignity, and belief in love and justice.

As she struggles to survive inside Sonagachi, the audience is left questioning:

Will Vijeta break free? Will love survive betrayal? Can forgiveness ever restore what trust has destroyed?

Golden Bazaar is a gripping tale of love, betrayal, resilience, and redemption. Through Vijeta’s journey—from lover to fighter, from victim to voice—the play challenges societal norms and celebrates the strength of a woman who refuses to settle, compromise, or surrender.

Prepare to witness a moving and unforgettable story that explores the painful depths of humanity and the triumphant power of hope.

Golden Bazaar is a powerful and emotionally charged play set in the vibrant yet contrasting world of Kolkata. At its heart is the story of Aakash and Vijeta, a young couple deeply in love and excitedly planning their future together, including their dream honeymoon to Mauritius. Aakash works a steady corporate job, while Vijeta, a passionate college student and dedicated member of an NGO, fights for the rights and dignity of women and children living in red-light districts. She believes fiercely in independence, equality, and justice—values she hopes to instill in the youth of India.

However, the relationship takes a shocking turn when Aakash makes a life-altering mistake: a one-night stand with a colleague. Broken but determined to reclaim her sense of agency, Vijeta reluctantly forgives him—but on one condition: she will commit an act of equal betrayal before their marriage. Aakash agrees, thinking it will be symbolic. But fate has different plans.

What begins as a reactionary decision spirals unexpectedly when Vijeta’s path leads her into Sonagachi, one of Asia’s largest and most complex red-light districts—known as the Golden Bazaar. Here, she comes face to face with the very world she has spent years trying to reform. Trapped in circumstances beyond her control, Vijeta must fight not just to escape, but to protect her identity, dignity, and belief in love and justice.

As she struggles to survive inside Sonagachi, the audience is left questioning:

Will Vijeta break free? Will love survive betrayal? Can forgiveness ever restore what trust has destroyed?

Golden Bazaar is a gripping tale of love, betrayal, resilience, and redemption. Through Vijeta’s journey—from lover to fighter, from victim to voice—the play challenges societal norms and celebrates the strength of a woman who refuses to settle, compromise, or surrender.

Prepare to witness a moving and unforgettable story that explores the painful depths of humanity and the triumphant power of hope.

Bali: The Sacrifice by Girish Karnad is the playwright's own English translation of his play Hittina Hunja.

A King, caught between his Jain Queen who refuses to harm a life and his Mother who believes in sacrificial rites, finds himself struggling to reconcile his love for the women in his life, his position as a ruler and perhaps the hardest of all, his faith.

A fine selection of some great jazz standards, latin jazz, smooth jazz and some cool Beatles songs by seasoned musicians with their special touch 
and dynamics to make this a truly magical and memorable evening.

This stage adaptation of the 2nd-century Tamil epic follows the fateful journey of Kannagi, the devoted wife of Kovalan, a wealthy merchant's son in the coastal city of Puhar. Their marriage, once harmonious, shatters when Kovalan is drawn to the charms of Madhavi, a celebrated courtesan. After years of estrangement and the loss of his fortune, Kovalan returns repentant to Kannagi, who agrees to start anew.

Together with Kannagi's maid, Devanti, they travel on foot to the great city of Madurai, hoping to rebuild their lives. There, Kovalan attempts to sell one of Kannagi's precious anklets to raise capital for trade — but he is falsely accused of stealing the queen's identical anklet. Without a fair trial, he is executed by the Pandyan king.

In a blaze of grief and righteous fury, Kannagi storms the palace, proves her husband's innocence, and calls upon Agni, the god of fire, to punish the city. Flames engulf Madurai, sparing only the innocent. Kannagi's transformation from wronged wife to divine avenger becomes both a personal act of justice and a timeless legend about chastity, truth, and the devastating cost of injustice.

This stage adaptation of the 2nd-century Tamil epic follows the fateful journey of Kannagi, the devoted wife of Kovalan, a wealthy merchant's son in the coastal city of Puhar. Their marriage, once harmonious, shatters when Kovalan is drawn to the charms of Madhavi, a celebrated courtesan. After years of estrangement and the loss of his fortune, Kovalan returns repentant to Kannagi, who agrees to start anew.

Together with Kannagi's maid, Devanti, they travel on foot to the great city of Madurai, hoping to rebuild their lives. There, Kovalan attempts to sell one of Kannagi's precious anklets to raise capital for trade — but he is falsely accused of stealing the queen's identical anklet. Without a fair trial, he is executed by the Pandyan king.

In a blaze of grief and righteous fury, Kannagi storms the palace, proves her husband's innocence, and calls upon Agni, the god of fire, to punish the city. Flames engulf Madurai, sparing only the innocent. Kannagi's transformation from wronged wife to divine avenger becomes both a personal act of justice and a timeless legend about chastity, truth, and the devastating cost of injustice.

This stage adaptation of the 2nd-century Tamil epic follows the fateful journey of Kannagi, the devoted wife of Kovalan, a wealthy merchant's son in the coastal city of Puhar. Their marriage, once harmonious, shatters when Kovalan is drawn to the charms of Madhavi, a celebrated courtesan. After years of estrangement and the loss of his fortune, Kovalan returns repentant to Kannagi, who agrees to start anew.

Together with Kannagi's maid, Devanti, they travel on foot to the great city of Madurai, hoping to rebuild their lives. There, Kovalan attempts to sell one of Kannagi's precious anklets to raise capital for trade — but he is falsely accused of stealing the queen's identical anklet. Without a fair trial, he is executed by the Pandyan king.

In a blaze of grief and righteous fury, Kannagi storms the palace, proves her husband's innocence, and calls upon Agni, the god of fire, to punish the city. Flames engulf Madurai, sparing only the innocent. Kannagi's transformation from wronged wife to divine avenger becomes both a personal act of justice and a timeless legend about chastity, truth, and the devastating cost of injustice.

This stage adaptation of the 2nd-century Tamil epic follows the fateful journey of Kannagi, the devoted wife of Kovalan, a wealthy merchant's son in the coastal city of Puhar. Their marriage, once harmonious, shatters when Kovalan is drawn to the charms of Madhavi, a celebrated courtesan. After years of estrangement and the loss of his fortune, Kovalan returns repentant to Kannagi, who agrees to start anew.

Together with Kannagi's maid, Devanti, they travel on foot to the great city of Madurai, hoping to rebuild their lives. There, Kovalan attempts to sell one of Kannagi's precious anklets to raise capital for trade — but he is falsely accused of stealing the queen's identical anklet. Without a fair trial, he is executed by the Pandyan king.

In a blaze of grief and righteous fury, Kannagi storms the palace, proves her husband's innocence, and calls upon Agni, the god of fire, to punish the city. Flames engulf Madurai, sparing only the innocent. Kannagi's transformation from wronged wife to divine avenger becomes both a personal act of justice and a timeless legend about chastity, truth, and the devastating cost of injustice.

Immerse yourself in the transcendent world of Indian heritage with an evening dedicated to the soulful depths of Hindustani Classical music. The evening features a quartet of traditional elements weaving a rich musical tapestry:

Vocal: Smt. Dipanwita Mitra on Vocal will guide the audience from the meditative solitude of the Alaap to the spirited intricate patterns of the Khayal, traversing the emotional and spiritual landscape of the chosen Raga.

Bansuri (Flute): Adding a breath of nature to the melody, Shri Shadaj Godkhindi on flute will bring forward the timeless beauty of Ragas, blending tradition with modern interpretations.

Tabla: The heartbeat of the ensemble, Shri Rajendra Nakod on tabla will engage in dynamic interplay (Sawal-Jawab) with the vocalist and flutist, showcasing complex rhythmic cycles (Talas) that build toward a thrilling crescendo.

Harmonium: Providing the constant harmonic foundation, Shri Soorya Upadhyaya on harmonium, supports the melody, filling the spaces with rich, sustaining textures.

Join us for a spiritual and auditory experience where four distinct stalwarts merge into one singular, harmonious expression of art.

A rib-tickling Hindi comedy by Kalayan Theatre

Dive into the chaotic, comical world of prolonged bachelorhood with Kab Tak Rahain Kunwaare — a laugh-out-loud stage comedy that brilliantly depicts modern-day relationship woes.

Anchored by the ever-entertaining Sutradhar & Nati who add their own hilarious twists, this play captures the struggles (and fun) of staying single a bit too long.

The story follows five young friends and the not-so-friendly girls in their lives, setting off a chain of outrageous incidents that’ll keep you laughing from start to finish.

A rib-tickling Hindi comedy by Kalayan Theatre

Dive into the chaotic, comical world of prolonged bachelorhood with Kab Tak Rahain Kunwaare — a laugh-out-loud stage comedy that brilliantly depicts modern-day relationship woes.

Anchored by the ever-entertaining Sutradhar & Nati who add their own hilarious twists, this play captures the struggles (and fun) of staying single a bit too long.

The story follows five young friends and the not-so-friendly girls in their lives, setting off a chain of outrageous incidents that’ll keep you laughing from start to finish.

Join the HandleBards for a hilariously high-octane performance of William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ like you’ve never seen before. Forget the tears and tragedy, our Macbeth is chock full of mishaps, mayhem and mirth.

We all know the story. Three Witches promise Macbeth the Scottish crown and like any normal people would, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plot to kill the king. Things get rapidly out of hand from there as foul deeds are done, plots unravel and mysterious spirits appear…

Suitable for all ages and apparitions.

????? – “Explodes with energy and is a genuine treat from start to finish.” – The Stage

Join the HandleBards for a hilariously high-octane performance of William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ like you’ve never seen before. Forget the tears and tragedy, our Macbeth is chock full of mishaps, mayhem and mirth.

We all know the story. Three Witches promise Macbeth the Scottish crown and like any normal people would, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plot to kill the king. Things get rapidly out of hand from there as foul deeds are done, plots unravel and mysterious spirits appear…

Suitable for all ages and apparitions.

????? – “Explodes with energy and is a genuine treat from start to finish.” – The Stage

An award winning play “The Interview” is a darkly comic psychological drama where a simple job interview spirals into an absurd power game. A hopeful candidate faces two unpredictable interviewers whose bizarre, shifting questions strip away his confidence and identity, exposing the cruelty hidden beneath corporate professionalism. What begins as formality becomes a tense battle of dignity, revealing how systems meant to judge merit often end up breaking the human spirit.

An award winning play “The Interview” is a darkly comic psychological drama where a simple job interview spirals into an absurd power game. A hopeful candidate faces two unpredictable interviewers whose bizarre, shifting questions strip away his confidence and identity, exposing the cruelty hidden beneath corporate professionalism. What begins as formality becomes a tense battle of dignity, revealing how systems meant to judge merit often end up breaking the human spirit.

A soulful evening of timeless ghazals, where poetry meets melody. Experience the depth of emotions, romance, and nostalgia through mesmerising vocals and delicate musical arrangements, celebrating the rich legacy of ghazal music.

The concert is the 17th episode titled as “THE RARE GEMS - 017" in the rare gems series of musical concerts presented by Expressions Bay, Bangalore.