In Pune, a dastangoi performance brings a Tagore story about nationalism and women’s perspective
A revived dastangoi performance of Ghare Baire brings Rabindranath Tagore’s sharp critique of aggressive nationalism, social divisions, and gender dynamics to a contemporary audience in Pune.
Dastan-e-Ghare Baire revives Tagore’s exploration of nationalism, radicalism, and social divisions through the evocative art of dastangoi. (Express Photo)
When he was writing Gora, a novel published during colonial rule in the early 1900s, Rabindranath Tagore was a supporter of the high ideas of nationalism. By the time the poet laureate began to write Ghare Baire, a story about a progressive zamindar, his wife, and his activist friend, Tagore had begun to see some of the problems with an extreme swadeshi movement.
In Nationalism, a collection of lectures he had delivered in Japan, Tagore criticised the “aggressive imperialistic tendencies of nationalism” and proposed an alternative that encompassed the values of medieval mystics and poet saints, such as Guru Nanak and Kabir. Ghare Baire became Tagore’s vehicle to flag some of the issues he had with nationalism.
It was to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Tagore that Delhi-based artists Anusha Rizvi and Mahmood Farooqui created Dastan–e-Ghare Baire, a performance of dastangoi, an old Urdu form of dramatic storytelling. The tradition of dastangoi was popular in the courts and among common people during the Mughal era. Thereafter, the art form faded until, in the 2000s, Farooqui, with a few other performers, began to enact it. Audiences thronged halls and other venues across the country. Today, dastangoi has become widespread, encapsulating many types of stories, and is performed by emerging as well as established artists.
On November 23, audiences in Pune can watch Farooqui and Rajesh Kumar, a senior theatre artist, on stage as they present a revived version of Dastan–e-Ghare Baire. The performance, at Shreeram Lagoo Rang Avakash, is brought to the city by Spotlight Forum.
“Ghare Baire, set in the aftermath of the Partition of Bengal, deals with issues that are still relevant and burning in this country. Nikhil, the main protagonist, can be considered as a mouthpiece for Tagore, while Sandeep, his firebrand friend, makes impassioned speeches about the nation,” says Farooqui.
Sandeep wants a boycott on foreign goods, but Nikhil is unhappy about imposing swadeshi on poor peasants. The play talks about the increasing Hindu-Muslim divide, with Nikhil insisting on including Muslims in the imagining of India. “The story flags issues of cow slaughter, nationalism, and radicalism,” says Farooqui.
Woman’s point of view
Dastan–e-Ghare Baire also highlights the woman’s point of view in a way that is progressive even today, or especially today, amid rising instances of toxic masculinity. Bimala, Nikhil’s wife, feels dissatisfaction in her marriage and becomes receptive to the attentions of her husband’s friend, who presents a vision of her as the inspiration behind his movement.
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Farooqui, who has directed the play, says that it was a challenge to convert the written word, which is meant to be read in private by a solitary reader, into a public presentation for a collective audience.
“The novel works as a dastan because there are two performers and three characters who have soliloquies as well as dialogues in the book. I reworked the language, bringing in additional elements, such as folk songs of 1857, to put the story in context for the present-day reader. We have converted the text into a kind of Urdu using a Hindi translation and an English rendering of the novel, because I don’t know Bangla,” says Farooqui.
The play emphasises that while it is easy to make powerful speeches with lofty rhetoric, the important question remains: who will be responsible for the fallout of such inflammatory speeches?
Speaking from more than 100 years ago, Tagore is still asking such questions, now with Dastan–e-Ghare Baire.
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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