Family Matters

Pankaj Tiwari uses physical theatre to interpret Mahesh Dattani’s story of child sexual abuse, 30 Days in September.

Pankaj Tiwari, Fest: Carnival of Bodies, The Fotons. Mahesh Dattani, 30 Days of September, Akshara Theatre, Delhi, indian express talk news, indian express news

A scene from the play

This play could be poetry with a pointed edge. In Mahesh Dattani’s 30 Days of September, a young child, Mala, is repeatedly molested by her maternal uncle, while her mother — fittingly called Shanta — stays silent. The story, which places a predator in the family tree and exposes the hollowness of home and trust, is now being interpreted by theatre director Pankaj Tiwari and his group The Fotons. It will be staged in Delhi on June 20.

Tiwari, whose earlier production, titled Fest: Carnival of Bodies, had the audience crawling through a narrow vagina-like entrance and taking off the clothes worn by an actor as a response to the Delhi gang-rape, is tackling his second non-promenade piece. He interprets 30 Days of September through a string of visuals, sound effects and physical theatre.

In one scene, two actions unfold successively on a split stage. In one, Shanta and her brother talk about Mala, while in the other, Mala tries to break off with her boyfriend Deepak because, as has always happened, she cannot sustain a relationship beyond 30 days. As Deepak refuses to end the affair, Mala shrinks and curls into herself while — like a nightmare from her childhood — the predator crosses the stage and, thumping his thighs, circles her shouting, “Touch me. You don’t love your uncle. Quickly, before someone sees you….”

Tiwari uses intense colours to complement the actions, such as painting the abuser’s body in red and blue to denote his feminine and masculine sides, using cartons pasted with kitschy newspaper glossy pages as tables, and having smoke from an agarbatti rise from the stage floor to the ceiling.

The play opens with the sound of raindrops and tea being sipped from a cup. “We always hear about the issue but, while making this play, new layers of child sexual abuse unfolded for me. I hope to transfer some of my personal meanings through the production. Maybe, the audience will understand why Shanta stays silent,” says Tiwari.

The play will be performed at Akshara Theatre, Delhi, on June 20. Contact: 23742083

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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