Back stage

Five enthusiastic architects (all from the School of Planning and Architecture) decided to do something crazy one muggy afternoonstart a theatre group that would one day be up there,the biggest.

Five enthusiastic architects (all from the School of Planning and Architecture) decided to do something crazy one muggy afternoonstart a theatre group that would one day be up there,the biggest. Their mind was fired up so,of course,they were sure nothing would ever go wrong with the plan: office deadlines wouldnt come in the way,lifes other demands wouldnt mess with rehearsals. That was May 2000. Today,Second Foundation Theatre can afford a smug strut and it isnt because they had got the equations right from the beginning. It is because they had got it very wrong but still manage to be around,and their survival tools could be a lesson to other foundering theatre groups.

We performed a play every year for the next few years and then,slowly,things began to change. Members left the country,people drifted away,our own jobs became 24×7 obsessions. Where was the time for theatre? Our last play was two years ago, says Uttiya Bhattacharya,one of the founders. Second Foundation Theatre almost went the way of other theatre groups that fizzle out midway. Almost. Because they will be back in April with their new production. The itch for theatre has won, says Bhattacharya.

The comeback production is called Dahl for the Stage and comprises three short stories and three poems by the writer. The choice of Dahl followed from the theatre groups most fundamental thumb-rulethe play has to be exciting enough to drag the members out of office to attend rehearsals, says Vaibhav Dimri,an actor who has acted in a childrens film called Foto in 2007,alongside Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah.

For the group,short plays work better than ensemble productions. Keeping the cast to two or three is logistically convenient, says Nimeran Singh. Theyve cut down the production to bite-sized pieces in other ways tooeach of the six sub-plays is being directed by a different member. Previously,the group has had guest directors like Arvind Gaur,Piyush Mishra,Abhijit Lahiri,Roysten Abel,but now every aspect is handled in-house.

As architects,we understand the importance of parts to create a holistic structure, says Amritha Ballal. Its an open house,actors walk in from all walks of life,students,friends. Our first production,Waiting for Godot had a lot of support from Spandan,the theatre group of the School of Planning and Architecture. Even for Dahl,we have a final-year student.

And when a play is by a group of architects,many of whom have picked up international awards,the sets cant but anything but classy. The group frequently changes its sets with every production and sometimes,the actions unfolds on scaffolds (Woyzeck-Fragment) or on black cubes (Shakespeare our Contemporary). And then,there are intricate sets,like in Bade Bhai Sahab,configured like jigsaw pieces that were pulled out and realigned to create a totally different design during interval. Redesigning the set during the interval was a performance in itself, says Uttiya Bhattacharya.

But,theatre also helps our experience as architects. Im a more sensitive architect because of my theatre experience. Getting under the skin of a design is often like getting under the skin of a character. And while architecture is one matrix of a civilisation,theatre is the other, says Dimri. Maybe,thats why they came back for another encore. And will keep coming back.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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Back stage

Five enthusiastic architects (all from the School of Planning and Architecture) decided to do something crazy one muggy afternoonstart a theatre group that would one day be up there,the biggest.

Five enthusiastic architects (all from the School of Planning and Architecture) decided to do something crazy one muggy afternoonstart a theatre group that would one day be up there,the biggest.