Kolkata's Enduring Love for Theatre Shines Bright

As of November 9th, 2025, Kolkata's enduring passion for theatre remains undiminished. The city's stages have long been a platform for each generation to discover its voice, protest, and poetry, and the current theatre season promises to be no exception.

Veteran performers like Mallika Sarabhai and Lillete Dubey praise Kolkata's unique audience, who they say listen with empathy and "live the play" with the actors. Curators like Richa Agarwal and Urvi Mittal are reimagining the theatre experience, focusing on experimentation and contemporary storytelling to bring new perspectives to audiences.

The range of productions, from the introspective "Meanwhile Elsewhere" to the complex "Autobiography," reflect the human condition and provoke thought. Sohini Sengupta, who is curating the 42nd Nandikar National Theatre Festival, believes that Kolkata will always find its way back to theatre, as it is a fundamental part of the city's cultural identity.

Despite the digital onslaught, Kolkata's theatre-loving audiences continue to return, drawn by the raw, live experience that the stage offers. Mallika Sarabhai and Sohini Sengupta are optimistic about the future, noting a growing hunger among young, politically aware performers who are unafraid to experiment and transform the art form.