Rang Adda 51 in Kolkata brought Hindi and Urdu storytelling to life as Little Thespian and Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad presented dramatic adaptations of stories by Kusum Khemani and Fay Seen Ejaz.
By Qalam Times News Network
Kolkata, October 25, 2026
Rang Adda 51 brought literature and theatre together in a memorable celebration of Hindi and Urdu storytelling as Little Thespian, one of Kolkata’s leading Hindi theatre groups, organised its 51st literary gathering in association with Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad on October 24, 2026. Titled Ek Sham Afsana Nigaroon Ke Saath (An Evening with Story Writers), the programme featured the literary works of two distinguished writers, Smt. Kusum Khemani and Shri Fay Seen Ejaz. Held at 2 pm at the Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad Conference Hall, the event offered an engaging platform for storytelling, theatrical expression, literary criticism and meaningful interaction between performers, scholars and the audience.
The significance of Rang Adda 51 lay in its exploration of how written stories can acquire new dimensions when interpreted through dramatic performance. The gathering moved beyond conventional readings, allowing audiences to experience literature through dialogue, characterisation, stage presentation and critical discussion. By bringing together writers, theatre practitioners, academics, critics and literature enthusiasts, the programme highlighted the enduring relationship between literary creativity and the performing arts.
Over the years, Rang Adda has developed into an important literary and cultural initiative of Little Thespian. Its central objective is to bring literature closer to society, encourage the exchange of ideas and create a shared platform where writers, artists and readers can engage with literary works from different perspectives. Through readings, discussions and theatrical presentations, the initiative seeks to examine the relationship between literature, performance and the social realities that shape human experience.
The 51st edition began with a welcome address by Uma Jhunjhunwala, President of Little Thespian. This was followed by the felicitation of Shri Fay Seen Ejaz in recognition of his presence at the literary gathering. Dr. Shambhunath, Director of Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad, and Smt. Bimla Poddar of the Parishad also addressed the gathering, setting the tone for an afternoon devoted to literary engagement and cultural exchange.
The programme was organised in two sessions, each centred on a short story and its dramatic interpretation, followed by critical analysis from literary scholars and critics.
First Session of Rang Adda 51: Kusum Khemani’s Ghongha Prasad
The opening session featured Ghongha Prasad, a story by Smt. Kusum Khemani, presented dramatically by Uma Jhunjhunwala and Gunjan Azhar. Their performance offered the audience an opportunity to experience the narrative beyond the printed page, using theatrical expression to bring its characters and underlying ideas into focus.
The performance was followed by a critical discussion led by Dr. Reshmi Panda Mukherjee, Associate Professor at Gokhale Memorial Girls’ College, and Shri Shabbir Ahmed, an Urdu novelist. Their analyses examined the literary dimensions of the story and considered the interpretative possibilities opened up by its presentation on stage.
Although Smt. Kusum Khemani could not attend the programme, her literary presence remained central to the session. Through the performance and subsequent discussion, her story became the starting point for a wider conversation about narrative, interpretation and the ability of literature to communicate ideas through different artistic forms.
The session demonstrated how theatrical adaptation can encourage audiences to revisit a written work, notice its subtleties and consider meanings that may emerge when a story is experienced collectively.
Second Session of Rang Adda 51: Fay Seen Ejaz’s Haiwanon Ki Khudkushi Par Ek Bezuban Samvad
The second session focused on Haiwanon Ki Khudkushi Par Ek Bezuban Samvad, a story by Shri Fay Seen Ejaz. The dramatic presentation featured Kavita Kothari, Heena Parwez, Annie Das, Bhavesh Bhagat, Satyam Pandey, Firoz Hussain and Md. Asif Ansari.
Through their collective performance, the artists translated the written narrative into a theatrical experience, inviting the audience to engage with the story through the performers’ interpretations and stage interactions. The presentation also provided an opportunity to consider how literary narratives can be re-examined through performance and how the process of adaptation shapes the audience’s understanding of a text.
The subsequent critical discussion was conducted by Shri Kalim Hazique, an Urdu poet and critic, and Dr. Mahmooda Khanam of Khidderpore College. Both speakers offered observations on the literary qualities of the story, its dramatic rendering and the nuances involved in translating written expression into performance.
Their contributions encouraged a closer examination of the relationship between the original text and its stage interpretation. Rather than limiting the discussion to praise for the performers, the session opened up space for critical engagement, differing viewpoints and a deeper appreciation of the artistic choices involved in theatrical storytelling.
While the two stories and their interpretations formed the core of the event, audience participation was an equally important element of the afternoon. The sustained attention and involvement of those present contributed to the atmosphere of intellectual exchange that Rang Adda seeks to foster.
The gathering brought together different approaches to literature: the writer’s imagination, the performer’s interpretation, the critic’s analysis and the audience’s response. This interaction reinforced the idea that a literary work does not end with its publication. It can acquire fresh meanings through performance, discussion and the perspectives of those who encounter it.
The programme also underscored the value of creating spaces where Hindi and Urdu literary traditions can be explored through shared cultural activities. By bringing writers, performers and scholars into conversation, the event demonstrated how literary gatherings can encourage mutual understanding and strengthen the connections between languages, artistic communities and audiences.
The afternoon concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Uma Jhunjhunwala and Smt. Bimla Poddar, acknowledging the contributions of the participants, performers, speakers and audience members who helped make the programme possible.
Sustaining Kolkata’s Literary and Theatrical Tradition
The successful organisation of the 51st Rang Adda reaffirmed Little Thespian’s continuing commitment to literary and theatrical engagement. Its collaboration with Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad provided a platform for the creative interpretation of Hindi and Urdu stories, while encouraging discussion that extended beyond the stage.
At a time when literary works are often encountered individually through books or digital platforms, initiatives such as Rang Adda offer a valuable opportunity to experience literature collectively. They allow stories to be heard, performed, questioned and discussed, bringing readers and audiences into closer contact with the creative process.
The 51st edition was therefore more than an evening of storytelling. It was a celebration of the dialogue between the written word and the performing arts, demonstrating how literature continues to find new life through the voices, interpretations and experiences of those who engage with it.
