A FEAST FOR THEATRE LOVERS

*Bandh Lifaafe* is a lyrical exploration of three women navigating the crossroads of their lives, each carrying within her an unopened letter, a forgotten stanza, or an unsung verse. August 11, 13, 15 and 16 at AN1 Studios.

Sawitri Theatre group is back with the 5th year of the Mississauga Multilingual Fringe Festival (MMFF). Presenting the many languages of India – Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi, Urdu, and English too, the fringe is a celebration of artistes, culture and the arts.

It emphasizes accessibility, originality, and supporting independent artistes. Fringe Festivals are held all over the world. Known for a diverse range of performances in various genres such as comedy, romance, tragedy and more, the Mississauga Multilingual Fringe Festival is the first and only multilingual fringe festival in North America.

Over the duration of two weeks, there will be 44 performances of 11 different plays. Week 1, from August 11 to August 17, the performances will be at AN1 Studios, and Week 2, from August 18 to August 24, at Sampradaya Theatre.

At the End of Kaliyuga: Cold Open Productions. English/Marathi. At the End of Kaliyuga is an invitation for young audiences to take part in storytelling that feels both ancient and alive. This piece weaves clowning and classical dance, creating a space where play and tradition meet. This production is a way of holding onto wonder in a world that often feels heavy. It’s for the children who show us how to keep imagining. The piece reminds us that play is sacred, laughter is necessary, and old stories can make space for new dreams.

Ek Ladka Hua Karta Tha: Jay Bhoi. Hindi. Ek Ladka Hua Karta Tha – “The Story of Every Boy”. “Kahani uski, woh jo sabka tha… par kabhi apna na ho paya.” A poetic storytelling act that takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions, capturing the untold journey of a boy who laughed loud, dreamed big, but lived quietly – for everyone else. One city. One interview. One tragic turn. Three letters in his bag – one from his mother, one from his lover, and one from the job he never got to start. This is not just his story – it’s the story of every boy who gives everything, yet never truly lives for himself. Raw. Relatable. Real. A performance that stays with you long after the spotlight fades.

Bandh Lifaafe: AJ DreamZ. English, Hindi and Urdu. Bandh Lifaafe is not just a play, it’s an evening of echoes, wine, and memories sealed in old envelopes of the heart. Inspired by the delicate intricacies of Gulzar Saab’s storytelling, this piece is a lyrical exploration of three women navigating the crossroads of their lives, each carrying within her an unopened letter, a forgotten stanza, or an unsung verse. The stories they share are not dramatic in the conventional sense, but deeply emotional, quietly powerful, and intimately human. Set within the warm confines of Rekha’s living room, the space becomes a confessional, of friendships rekindled, of regrets aired, and of courage rediscovered. The language of the play flows between Hindi, Urdu, and English, just as effortlessly as these women move between laughter, grief, and rediscovery. Bandh Lifaafe, is a tribute to the women we become, the friendships we return to, and the truths we finally learn to say out loud.

Gaumukhi (Cow): Dramatic Jukebox & CinemaClub. English. Gaumukhi was born out of an impulse of anger. It is a reaction to and reflection of the sweeping political winds of our time. She is both an allegory of the violent, exclusionist ideology that has adopted her, and a force struggling to break free from that emblematic identity, and from her shadow. This production aims to encourage a conversation between spectator, performers, and the text. There is a truth that each individual spectator, each new performance, and each of these three trophic levels of theatre brings. It is the synthesis of these truths that forms the free flowing river of ideas that represents the spirit of Gaumukhi. While there may be images, themes and premises that may discombobulate some, and provoke others – the play urges you to listen, and to lead with a shared compassion for those on the margins.

*Out of Bounds: A Foul Play* runs August 12, 14, 16 and 17 at AN1 Studios.

The Trials by Sita: Chica Creations. English. The Trials by Sita is a story that asks questions we’ve all heard but rarely answered. What if Sita had the chance to speak today? What if she could challenge the laws, the silence and the idea of sacrifice? This play is not about changing the past, but about finally listening to it. It’s about the voices that were ignored, the strength that was hidden, and the truth that was never spoken out loud. If one person feels heard because of this story, then it has done what it came to do.

Out of Bounds: A Foul Play - Versona Persona. English/Hindi. Out of Bounds explores the raw, often uncomfortable terrain of men grappling midlife crises, set against a backdrop of transient relationships with women half their age. This production is a candid portrait of masculine vulnerability, societal expectations and the quest for meaning in an era where roles and relationships shift rapidly. Through humor, conflict, and moments of genuine introspection, this play examines how men – faced with aging, unfulfilled desires, and the pressure to perform – grapple with their own morality and identity. It is a dynamic fraught with power imbalance and unspoken consequences. The play aims to illuminate not only the men’s internal struggles, but also the ways their choices can be deeply unsettling, even predatory, for the younger women. It challenges us to consider the consequences of seeking validation outside oneself, while also offering a compassionate look at the loneliness and longing that often drive such behaviour.

Tax Free - Nautanki Bazaar. Hindi. Tax Free by Dr. Chandrashekhar Phansalkar is a comedic Hindi one-act play that cleverly weaves humour with meaningful social insight. The story follows four visually impaired individuals who come together to form a Blind People’s Club, seeking joy, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging despite the obstacles they face. The play underscores the idea that laughter and human connection are invaluable and, indeed, Tax Free!

Ankahein Samvaad: Addakar Arts. Hindi. Ankahein Samvaad is a poignant and thought-provoking stage play that explores the haunting beauty of unspoken conversations – the silences that shape destinies, the pauses that echo louder than words, and the emotional burden of what remains unsaid. Through a unique theatrical lens, the play reimagines crucial moments in the lives of three historically significant pairs, Duryodhana and Bhanumati, Siddharth and Yashodhara, and Mrinalini Tagore and Victoria Ocampo. Each pair represents a different facet of silence. In today’s fast-paced: digitally saturated world, meaningful communication is often lost. Using the emotional residue of historical figures as a canvas, it paints a powerful portrait of longing, loss, and the fragile hope that perhaps... it’s not too late to speak.

Dukhde Rishte. Chetna Cultural Centre Toronto. Hindi. Dukhde Rishtey is related to community harmony and children’s relationships with aging parents.

The Proposal. Rangaai Theatre Company. Hindi/Urdu. The Proposal is a comedic production written by Anton Chekov. The play follows Mr. Barkhurdar, a promising bachelor, who decides to finally confess his undying love for his childhood friend, Madam Mhotarima, who just happens to be his neighbor – Mr. Janaab’s – beautiful daughter. However, what could have been a romantic evening with beautiful lighting, some nice music, and some very fine Whiskey turns out to be a hilarious comedy where all three of them continue to fight over some of the most unromantic subj:cts like ancestral land and dogs! Experience the beauty of being one with the characters in this mesmerising concept of 180 degree immersive theatre, where the audience is very much a part of the play as the actors are!

1947 Aur Alzheimer’s: Light’s on Theatre. Hindi/Urdu. 1947 Aur Alzheimer’s offers a comic, satirical and refreshingly original take on the Partition of India in 1947. The narrative unfolds through the memories of a 90-year-old man – Ghazanfar Hussain – who is also living with Alzheimer’s. As he attempts to recall the immediate and long-term aftermath of Partition, his fading memory adds both poignancy and humour. His non-academic, anecdotal, often factually incorrect yet deeply human recollections challenge conventional narratives and stereotypes surrounding the event – its causes, its purpose, its cost, and its legacy. This production is based largely on a true story. Ghanzanfar Hussain was the director, Dr. M. Sayeed Alam’s grandfather. This play is both a tribute and an attempt to reimagine history through the lens of memory, humor, and love.

Founded in 2003 by Artistic Co-Directors Jasmine Sawant and Shruti Shah, Sawitri Theatre Group is an award-winning, incorporated not-for-profit organization presenting original works featuring established professionals as well as emerging artistes. Its mandate is to educate, inform, entertain, and heal through South Asian theatre arts that foreground women and the new generation, and to highlight issues of socio-political importance with works in some of India’s many languages including English.