Goonj ka Ghar

Goonj ka GharThursday, 26th November, 7.30 p.m. - 8.20 p.m.Language: Hindi (with subtitles in English)About the PerformanceGoonj ka Ghar is a physical theatre performance that combines movement, minimal set design, and fragmented storytelling to explore themes of identity, power, and marginalisation. Initially inspired by three seminal short stories, Tirichh by Uday Prakash, Toba Tek Singh by Saadat Hasan Manto, and Uljhan by Vijaydan Detha, which are woven into a single theatrical narrative that interrogates unresolved questions of identity, belonging and justice in today’s world.Set against the backdrop of a society grappling with citizenship, identity and social justice, the performance raises urgent questions: What makes a person a citizen? What do we call home when borders both physical and psychological remain in flux? Who is considered sane, worthy, beautiful, or legitimate? Why does society continue to value women who appear silent and submissive? Each segment reflects marginalisation through a distinct lens — surreal satire on madness and displacement, dark allegory on invisibility and class, and an introspective exploration of gender, self-worth and systemic injustice.CastACT IMaya: NaginaHusband and Bhola: AslamACT IICricketer: SaddamFriend and Officer: ShahidMadam Officer: NaginaACT IIIOora: IsmailCrewDirection: Nagina, Naghma and JasmineSound and Light: Jasmine and NaghmaSet Design: Nagina, Jasmine and NaghmaStage Crew: Shahid, Ismail and AabshaarMovement Direction, Rehearsal and Production Support: AabshaarProduction Coordinator: Sanyukta and ShoaibAbout the ArtistsSanyukta SahaSanyukta Saha is a theatre pedagogue, facilitator and community arts leader, and the Founder and Executive Director of Aagaaz Theatre Trust, a community-rooted arts organisation in New Delhi. Her work focuses on participatory arts-based learning processes with children, adolescents, youth and women, using theatre, dialogue and reflection to explore questions of identity, citizenship, gender, well-being and belonging.Sanyukta holds an MA in Theatre and Development Studies from the University of Leeds, UK, and a BA in English Literature from the University of Delhi. She has taught and facilitated learning processes at Ashoka University and the University of Delhi, and has also been involved in mentoring through the Bargad Theatre Fellowship.She has over 17 years of experience working across theatre, education and community-based practice. Before founding Aagaaz Theatre Trust in 2015, she worked as Arts Education Programme Coordinator with the Aga Khan Foundation, where she designed and implemented arts-integrated education programmes in the neighbourhood government school in Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin and early childhood centres. She has also worked as a theatre facilitator and community practitioner with Pandies' Theatre and through her independent practice.At Aagaaz, Sanyukta leads the organisation's strategy and overall development, while continuing to facilitate, mentor and develop participatory creative processes with young people and communities.AslamAslam has been performing with the Repertory since 2015. As an actor and facilitator, he has participated in theatre festivals, schools, public venues, open spaces, and national events. He facilitates drama- and arts-based learning spaces for adolescent boys in Nizamuddin Basti. He has recently directed a work in progress play called Chaukidar. Aslam is also a professional rugby player, coach, and referee with Delhi Wolves.Naghma Naghma is one of the younger powerhouses in the group. She has been with Aagaaz since 2011 and loves singing, dancing, embroidery and of course, theatre. She is pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in IGNOU and simultaneously trying to delve deep into facilitation, since she values the give-and-take relationship it creates. She has attended the FLN training in Bhopal and represented Aagaaz at the Theatre of the Oppressed Conference in Bangalore in 2025.Nagina Nagina is an actor, director and facilitator from Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti. She has performed in over 12 plays and is a founding member of Aagaaz. Nagina has been a fellow with People for Parity, YP Foundation, the American State Department, and the Sahitya Kala Akademi. She graduated from Delhi University and is our Community Program and mobilisation leader.JasmineJasmine began engaging with theatre in 2012 because her father was interested in the art form. She works with the youngest children in Aagaaz and wants to help them find their passion. She graduated with a BA (hons.) in Political Science and spends her time sketching, drawing and cooking. She completed the SMART AAC fellowship and is passionate about using the arts to create meaningful engagements.SaddamA founding member of Aagaaz since 2009, Saddam is an artist facilitator for the Early Years Program at Aagaaz and is a member of the Repertory, performing and touring with plays such as Duniya Sabki, Rihla and Raavan Aaya. He has immense love for theatre and especially enjoys performing. He also handles production for the Repertory.ShahidAn artist facilitator and actor, Shahid also handles the communications at Aagaaz. He’s not only a thoughtful performer but also brings a lot of new learnings and insight to the organisation's work. Currently, A BeVisioneer’s Fellow, Shahid is looking at integrating theatre with efforts towards creating a more sustainable world.IsmailAn artist facilitator and actor, Ismail has performed with the repertory at several festivals, schools and public spaces. At Aagaaz he engages with children in the age group of 7-12 years. As an actor, he brings confidence and quiet reflection of stage. He also works as a production manager and light designer for several of Aagaaz’s shows.Photo Credits: Abhivyakti, The City Arts ProjectAbout the FestivalPLAYINTERPLAY is a theatre festival with a difference. It celebrates 50 years of the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation, bringing together its theatre awardees and scholars to show their work, share their experiences, skills and learnings, and converse on matters of common interest.PLAYINTERPLAY presents plays that are new to Bengaluru. What is different, however, is that it looks back as well as forward, featuring a work of theatre that has been specially revived for the festival and readings of plays that are still to become the finished article.PLAYINTERPLAY does more: it forges connections between its constituent parts — performances, workshops, conversations and experience sharing — emphasising the interplay between thought, learning and practice.See the plays! Apply for the workshops! Join the conversations! Soak in the magic of theatre.About the Artistic DirectorAnmol Vellani is the founder and former executive director of India Foundation for the Arts, the first independent philanthropic organisation in India devoted exclusively to supporting the arts. He is also the co-founder of Toto Funds the Arts, which nurtures, encourages and rewards new voices and emerging talent in the arts.Anmol did not, however, aspire to become a professional in the field of philanthropy. His early fascination was with the arts, especially theatre and music, and also philosophy, which he studied at the Universities of Poona, Oxford and Cambridge. He taught ethics, logic and the history of philosophy at Elphinstone College, Mumbai, in the 1970s,His writing and talks — on arts entrepreneurship, the creative economy, cultural policy, the role of grant-making foundations, culture and development, arts collaboration and the performing arts, for example — have reflected on the insights he has gleaned from his long engagement with the arts and philanthropy.Anmol has been associated with nearly 50 plays as a director, designer or actor. He has directed theatre productions in different languages and cities. His last two plays — Innocence (2024) and Apne Ghar Jaisa (2022) — have been lauded for their sharp and critical look at contemporary social and political realities in India.