On June 1, 1930, India’s first deluxe train set off on a journey to connect two landmark destinations of Maharashtra, Pune and Mumbai. The train was called the Deccan Queen, after Pune’s title as the Queen of the Deccan. Since then, though the train has covered millions of miles and carried as many passengers, its charm has not dimmed. Travelling by the Deccan Queen still comes with a flutter of romance.
Yet, how many people know that the train originally had two rakes of seven coaches each, of which one was painted silver with scarlet mouldings and the other shone royal blue with gold lines. “The under frames of the coaches of the original rakes were built in England while the coach bodies were built in the Matunga Workshop of the GIP Railway,” says an official statement from the Indian Railways.
Now, an infotainment performance piece in Pune is attempting to spread awareness and ignite interest about the iconic train. Sahib, Sindh, Sultan, the performance that is made up of stories, poetry, and music, is named after the first three engines that took the Deccan Queen from Bori Bundar to Thane.
The play is produced by the Theatre India Company, founded and owned by Kshitij Kulkarni and Vaidehi Sancheti. To be performed at Kalachhaya Cultural Centre on Saturday (April 11), it is performed by Prerna Kakatdar, Rohini Panchawatikar, Kalyan Sundereswaran, Kshitij Kulkarni, Sonali Rasal, Saachi Sancheti, and Vaidehi Sancheti.
“I’ve been fascinated with trains forever. It has been my preferred mode of travelling. The Deccan Queen itself is a big deal for me. The first time that I was on the train, I was fascinated to see that it has its own pantry. It has its own dining car. I belonged to a different era. The more I travelled by the Deccan Queen, the more I became interested,” says Vaidehi Sancheti.
In the performances, the characters are traveling by the Deccan Queen, and this becomes a vessel to tell the story about trains, especially how they are a unifier in our country and represent the nation in various ways. It showcases how many permutations and combinations go into taking people from one place safely to another. The show opens with an ode to the majesty of the Indian Railways. For instance, there are 1,200 seen and unseen people who make each Deccan Queen trip happen.
“Trains are an inextricable part of my memory. They have punctuated my life like a motif punctuates a novel. But beyond nostalgia, the immensity, the sheer scale of it all has always baffled me. Just the thought of how the behemoth works and affects the lives of millions of Indians is fascinating. I have never seen a better example of sheer clinical method taming madness,” says Sundereswaran, the writer and the in-house train geek.
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He adds that the performance gave him “a means to introspect and dramatically express the awe I feel for our Railways in such a way that it inspires others to take notice of things they may have not known, ignored or taken for granted about it”. “It also seeks to articulate how the Railways and the people can serve each other’s causes better. The show is an awareness campaign in the guise of entertainment,” says Sundereswaran.
Among the protagonists is a nerd; an arts and literature buff who is travelling to Mumbai for the Kala Ghoda festival; an office goer who takes the train regularly; and a traveller who absolutely hates trains. Together, they promise to take audiences on a journey of the story of one of the iconic trains in the country.
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.
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