Rangakarmee at 50: The Continuum of a Living Theatre
January 9, 2026 14:25:25 IST MTG editorial
Fifty years in theatre is not just a milestone - it is a testament to resilience, artistic truth, and the unbroken rhythm of sadhana. Since its inception in 1976 by the indomitable Usha Ganguli, Rangakarmee has been one of Indian theatre's most steadfast pillars, rooted in ethics, empathy, and uncompromising artistic discipline.
Usha Ganguli's theatre was never ornamental. It was fierce in its purpose and tender in its humanity. Her stage became a mirror for society - reflecting the unheard, the unseen, and the silenced. Productions like Rudali, Chandalika, Antaryatra, Hum Mukhtara, and Manasi were not just performances but lived experiences. Under her leadership, Rangakarmee became a gurukul of theatre, where commitment and conscience were valued as deeply as craft and creativity.
The passing of Usha Ganguli in 2020 could have been the end of an era, but for Rangakarmee, it marked the beginning of uttaradhikar - a sacred continuation. Today, under the stewardship of Anirudh Sarkar, the group has entered a new chapter that honours the past by engaging with the present. "Usha Di may not be with us physically," Anirudh says, "but she lives within us - in every rehearsal, every performance, and every pause on stage."
As Rangakarmee celebrates its 50th year this January, it does so with humility and pride - a collective celebration of all who have built, believed in, and belonged to this journey. The company continues to evolve with the times, engaging with new audiences, new anxieties, and new expressions, while holding on to the moral clarity that defined its origins.
Recent works like Pashmina, Chandaa Bedni, Abhi Raat Baaki Hai, and Aadhe Adhure carry forward this dialogue between inheritance and innovation. Meanwhile, the revival of Lok Katha reconnects the group to its historical roots, reaffirming that memory and experimentation can coexist.
At fifty, Rangakarmee is not an institution of nostalgia, but a living theatre practice - one that believes performance is karma, the stage a yagya, and storytelling an act of social and spiritual responsibility. The journey continues - guided by memory, sustained by work, and illuminated by truth.
*Mumbai Theatre Guide takes no responsibility for change in schedule.
