In 2014, Bollywood’s dream girl Hema Malini became Member of Parliament from Mathura and Vrindavan. When visiting a widow home in Vrindavan, she suggested that the widows remain in Bengal instead of coming to over-crowded Vrindavan. The uproar that followed involved NGOs, the BJP, Prime Minister Modi, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Hema Malini. This incident provides the inspiration for वृंदावन (Vrindavan), in which 12 feisty widows live in raucous celebration until a Bollywood actress arrives to disrupt their make-believe world. वृंदावन (Vrindavan) is a grand musical, juxtaposing the colorful love of Radha and Krishna with the stark existence of Vrindavan widows, told through humor and wit, the bhajans of Meera Bai and the gyrations of Bollywood songs. The play features live music and dance, spectacular sets, costumes and lights.
written by Frederick Knott, directed by Dhananjay Motwani
(in Hindi, with supertitles in English)
Step into the shadows of a meticulously planned murder in this edge-of-the-seat thriller where a man masterminds a chilling plot to murder his unfaithful wife for her inheritance. When his ‘perfect’ plan spirals into chaos, a web of lies and deceit is spun. This classic by Frederick Knott was also adapted in 1954 into a critically acclaimed film by Alfred Hitchcock.
written by Vijay Tendulkar, directed by Harish Agastya
(in Hindi and Marathi, with supertitles in English)
Set in the times of Nana Phadnavis (1741–1800), घासीराम कोतवाल (Ghasiram Kotwal) is political satire written as historical drama. Arriving in Pune from northern India, Ghasiram rises to great prominence through deceit, trickery and violence until his inevitable fall. Naatak’s grand production features live music and dance, and a style of presentation not seen in previous presentations of the play.
March 14 – April 6, 2025 | Campbell
Vilayat Mahal
written and directed by Anush Moorthy
(in Hindi and English, with supertitles in English)
December 1971, a cold wintry morning, Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, Delhi: a woman walks into the first-class waiting room with her family and claims to be the legitimate descendant of Wajid Ali Shah, the last nawab of Oudh. The family has everything – Great Danes, opulent carpets, potted palms, and a retinue of servants in livery – except the recognition they seek. Inspired by a true story in the New York Times, विलायत महल (Vilayat Mahal) is a tragicomedy spanning four decades that re-imagines the life of the mysterious begum and her quest for recognition.
June 13 – June 29, 2025 | Palo Alto
Blessed
written and directed by Vikram Ramanarayanan
(in English)
In 1998, a woman named Monica Besra was cured of a stomach tumor through a miracle supposedly wrought by Mother Teresa, setting in motion a chain of events that culminated with her canonization in the Catholic Church. Based loosely on this incident, Blessed is a tale of that miracle and the cynical men and women who engineered it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose my seats?
For each play in Season 2024-25, we will invite you to choose your seats 6-8 weeks before the play opens.
For each play, Season Pass holders will enjoy an exclusive period during when only they can choose seats (the play will not be advertised to the general public during this period). Once you have chosen your seats, they will be pre-assigned to you when you come to the theater.
How does auto-renewal work?
When buying, check the box that says “automatically renew my season pass every year” and we will take care of renewals. Every May-June, we will notify you at least twice, giving you the option to cancel, before charging your card to renew your passes.
Are there age restrictions for these plays?
Children under 7 will not be admitted. If a play has a higher age restriction, it will be listed along with the play.
What if I cannot make it to a particular production?
You can transfer your tickets to a particular play, or your whole pass, to a friend. Contact tickets@naatak.org.
What are VVIP, VIP and GENERAL seating categories?
This is the seating chart for Cubberley Theater, Palo Alto. When we perform in other theaters, we will use equivalent charts.
