Indrani Mukerjea
The St. Andrew's Auditorium in Bandra was alive with whistles, cheers, and the rhythmic echo of applause on Saturday night as Indrani Mukerjea and her production house, Indrani Mukerjea Enterprise (IME), brought back Chitrangada - Ek Sashakt Naari for its much-anticipated second staging. The audience, packed with Mumbai's theatre lovers, artists, and well-known faces, rose more than once to applaud the grand retelling of Rabindranath Tagore's classic.
What unfolded wasn't just a recreation of Tagore's iconic warrior princess - but a reaffirmation of art's power to renew itself.
A Return That Feels Like a Rebirth
After its critically acclaimed debut earlier this year, the revival of Chitrangada - Ek Sashakt Naari marks IME's continuing commitment to Tagore's legacy - but with deeper creative ambition. For Indrani Mukerjea, who plays the titular warrior princess of Manipur, this staging was both an artistic challenge and a personal statement.
"Every time you inhabit Chitrangada," said Mukerjea, reflecting on the performance, "you meet a new part of yourself. This version is gentler, more introspective - it's about grace as much as it is about grit. And it's about celebrating the quiet strength that defines womanhood."
Her portrayal - commanding yet fluid, vulnerable yet fierce - drew rapt attention throughout the evening. As the lights dimmed on her final monologue, a section of the audience broke into spontaneous applause, whistling and cheering.
The IME Vision: Nurturing New Voices in Indian Theatre
If Indrani Mukerjea is the force on stage, her company, Indrani Mukerjea Enterprise, has quickly become one offstage. With Chitrangada, IME has positioned itself as one of India's few women-led production houses championing classical reinterpretation through a contemporary lens.
This phase of the production introduced a fresh Arjun - played by young actor Subrat Panda, whose arrival signals IME's focus on nurturing new talent. The Odisha-born performer, who has previously worked in aviation and short films, brings both discipline and artistic sensitivity to the stage.
Having studied Rabindranath Tagore's literature since childhood, Panda's understanding of the poet's worldview adds depth to his portrayal of Arjun - a man who learns to see love without possession, and strength without dominance.
"I've grown up reading Tagore," Subrat said. "To now play Arjun opposite an artist as formidable as Indrani Mukerjea feels like stepping into the pages of a story I've known all my life. It's humbling and transformative."
Mukerjea, too, praised his presence, calling him "a quiet storm" - an actor who listens with intent, reacts with truth, and fills silence with strength.
Tony and Madhumita's Artistic Signature
Directors Tony and Madhumita Chakraborty, the creative duo behind the production, have once again proved that Tagore can be staged not just as a period piece, but as a living, breathing emotional experience.
"We wanted this second staging to feel like evolution, not repetition," said Madhumita. "We've deepened the choreography, reworked the music, and built a more immersive visual world. Tagore's words already hold fire - we simply gave them new light."
The production's choreography merges Manipuri influences with contemporary movement; its score, composed by Shantanu Bhattacharya, flows seamlessly between classical restraint and modern intensity. Tony's staging - all shadows, silks, and symbolic lightplay - ensures that the story feels both ancient and startlingly current.
Tony added, "We're keeping Tagore's essence alive, but allowing new energy to flow through it. Working with Indrani and Subrat opened new emotional rhythms we hadn't explored before."
A Night of Applause, Artistry, and Awe
The performance's emotional highs were matched by the warmth of the crowd. From the moment Indrani made her entrance as Kurupa, the audience was transfixed. Whispers of admiration turned into gasps, then applause, and finally thunderous cheers by curtain call.
Actress and host for the evening Maninee De, who anchored the evening, described it aptly: "Watching Chitrangada isn't just seeing a play - it's witnessing a woman reclaim her story through art."
The evening also saw an eclectic mix of distinguished guests from Mumbai's art, film, and culture circuit. Among those in attendance were National Award-winning director Ruchi Narain, renowned artist Pandit Naviin Gandharv, actor Suchitra Pillai, Head of the India Fine Arts Council Haresh Mehta, and celebrated designer Chintan Shah, along with several other prominent personalities who turned up to celebrate the play's resounding success and Indrani Mukerjea's captivating performance.
The Journey Ahead for IME
With Chitrangada - Ek Sashakt Naari now an established success, IME is already setting its sights on its next artistic milestone - a theatrical anthology inspired by Tagore's short stories, currently under development. The project will continue the company's mission of fusing literary heritage with contemporary creative forms.
"Tagore's women have always been ahead of their time," said Mukerjea. "With IME, our goal is to bring their voices to life in ways that resonate with today's world."
The vision seems clear: to build a platform where art becomes an act of courage - and where every story told is a step toward collective reflection and renewal.
As the curtain fell at St. Andrew's that night, it was evident that Chitrangada had become more than theatre. It was a mirror - for art, for womanhood, and for a world still learning what it truly means to be "sashakt."
