Musicals have shaped the world of performing arts.The Lion King was the benchmark. Last year India saw the Beauty and the Beast, opening the floodgates for musical theatre in the country. Another hit musical off late was Mughal E Azam.

After receiving spectacular reviews from the viewers for its last season, NCPA, in association with Silly Point Productions is back with the second season of ‘Gandhi-The Musical which recaps the life of the Father of our Nation. The first of its kind on an Indian stage, the theatre show includes 16 original songs, 2 adaptations and 12 choreographed dances, along with lavish sets that’ll transport you to the days of our independence struggle.

Gandhi is a Broadway style musical which depicts the journey of Gandhi with songs and dance numbers. The musical will also feature Bollywood actor Boman Irani as ‘The Raj’ – a voice that portrays the system that Gandhi was constantly battling against.  Gandhi - The musical- is a story of this remarkable man’s journey over time, his experiences and experiments with Truth. This grand scale musical throws light upon the making of the Mahatma. His days as a barrister, his struggle and his voyage to champion the cause of the oppressed in South Africa with non violence and passive resistance being his only weapons – this includes the advent of the concept of Satyagraha.

Gandhi - The Musical will showcase an astounding variety of music - from Raghupati Raghav to Hindi and Gujarati songs composed against an European orchestra, to even an industrial dubstep number. The play is in English but some of the songs are in Hindi and Gujarati because some expressions are best showcased in those languages. The Musical is India’s first musical on the the Father of the Nation, including music that will be enjoyed by all age groups- rock, jazz, razzmatazz, classical, and the love songs too for those who want a little romance in their lives. The play involves original music, lyrics and composition adding to its uniqueness.

Apart from the freedom perspective the musical also touches upon Gandhi’s personal life, his love for Kasturba, his wife and pillar of strength, his relationship with his son Harilal and lastly his complete surrender to the downtrodden, neglected, ostracized Harijans whom he considered to be his very own. The core idea is to portray Gandhi as a belief , a principle an infinite entity rather than just a great being of his time. Hence we have him speak of “India of his dreams” what he always wished his country would be.

Gandhi - The Musical - is all set to break all benchmarks and stereotypes next month. It will depict Gandhi in a new light - in a musical light - with song and dance and dialogue that will make viewers tap their feet!  

Gandhi – the Musical will be staged at National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai from 1^st April onwards.

Show schedule:

1^st & 2^nd April (Saturday and Sunday)- One show each

7^th, 8^th April (Friday, Saturday)- One show each

9^th April (Sunday)- 4 pm and 7:30 pm

Credits: Gandhi – The Musical

Presenters: NCPA and Silly Point Productions

Written & Directed by : Danesh A.R. Khambata

Music Composer: Nariman Khambata and Rahul Pais

Sets: Fali Unwala

Choreographer: Bertwin D’souza

Cast:

Gandhi : Chirag Vohra

Young Gandhi: Abhishek Krishnan

Kasturba: Nivedita Baunthiyal

Young Kasturba :Nishi Doshi

Harilal: Harshpal Singh