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Conversing with the dead and finding meaning in their silences: How a forensic pathologist cut the pieces of his life in a new play

Sharma is the fictional protagonist of an 80-minute solo play, Priya Pehle Padhne Wale, which will be performed by Sanket Handal at The Box on February 8

2 min readPuneUpdated: Feb 5, 2026 09:04 PM IST

“The story, written by Rushkesh Nale, presents a lot of realities," says Ameya Rudra, the director. (Express photo)

Gorakh Sharma belongs to the caste that has generationally performed post-mortems. Now, at the age of 37, he has reached a stage where he has no purpose left and no one in his life either.

Sharma is the fictional protagonist of an 80-minute solo play, Priya Pehle Padhne Wale, which will be performed by Sanket Handal at The Box on February 8.

“The story, written by Rushikesh Nale, presents a lot of realities. The work of post-mortems is conducted by people from certain lower castes who pass on the skill to the boys of the next generation. The protagonist is from a small town in Uttar Pradesh who moves to Mumbai after securing the job to conduct post mortems at a government hospital with the help of his uncle,” says Ameya Rudra, the director.

He adds that Sharma counters his solitude by conversing with the dead and finding meaning in their silences. “In this period, he befriends a kind policeman who becomes his only anchor in the city. But tragedy strikes when one day, the body of his dear friend is brought to him for post-mortem,” says the director.

Rudra is one of the emerging talents in theatre and films, with several awards at Firodia Karandak, among others. He works with Suraj Parasnis, who created cutting-edge work for film and media company Theatron.

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“We have kept the stage of Priya Pehle Padhne Wale minimal. We have merged the setup of a hospital and the protagonist’s house together, but we have created a very interesting light design. We have placed the door frame on the stage left, in a way that whenever Gorakh comes out of the door frame, we see the outer world and understand his intentions and achievements. Eventually, the stage design helps us show when there is nothing left in his life to survive as a person,” says Rudra.

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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