Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation’s play ‘Kasturba’ in Pune, at Radisson Blu Hinjawadi

Internationally-acclaimed theatre repertory Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation’s heritage theatre production delves into two years in the life of the world's most iconic couple, as they fought for India's freedom.

In the 150^th year of commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhiji’s birth by UNESCO and the Government of India, Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation presents its new heritage theatre production ‘Kasturba’ to Pune audiences. Set in Pune’s Aga Khan Palace where Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi were confined, the play is an emotional and dramatic account of two years of captivity of the world’s most iconic couple, before Kasturba Gandhi passed away in confinement.

The play is in true tradition of Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation’s globally-celebrated Heritage Theatre. Written by R.K. Paliwal (present Director-General of the Department of Income Tax), it is designed and directed by Padma Shri recipient and theatre revivalist Mohammad Ali Baig, ‘Kasturba’ follows the Foundation’s globally-acclaimed productions ‘Quli: Dilon ka Shahzaada’, ‘Savaan-e-Hayat’, ‘1857: Turrebaz Khan’ , ‘Spaces’, ‘Under an Oak Tree’, among others. Baig’s previous four plays have had successive UK premieres and at prestigious festivals across India, Canada, France, Singapore, Turkey, USA, UAE, including a week-long run at Edinburgh and at the University of Oxford.

This play is set in the mid-twentieth century during the crucial years of India’s freedom movement. Like the Foundation’s plays which emphasise on universal human values, this one too highlights the emotions, contributions and struggles of the largely unsung yet spirited Kasturba Gandhi.    

Featuring an ensemble cast of Hyderabad’s finest talent, with the Foundation’s veterans Rashmi Seth in the role of Kasturba and Vijay Prasad as Mahatma Gandhi, the play in Hindustani takes the audience to the period between 1942 and 1944, post the Quit India Movement. Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi, along with their close associates including Mahadev Desai and Dr. Sushila Nayyar were held captive in the Aga Khan Palace in Pune, unbeknownst to the public. Along with the Foundation’s regulars Rashmi Seth, Vijay Prasad, S.A. Majeed, Madhu Swaminath and Anwar Ali the play features new talents Rajiv Kumar, Snigdha Bawa, and Naimatullah Baig.

On the apt occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth month, as a tribute to our founding father and mother, ‘Kasturba’ is scheduled to be staged on October 19^th 2019 at 7.30 pm at Radisson Blu Pune (Hinjawadi).