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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline OCTOBER 10, 2025 | The Indian Eye 30

Taking the Mantle: How Raell Padamsee is

Carrying Alyque Padamsee’s Legacy Forward

BY MURTAZA ALI KHAN embody complexity with honesty and depth. Cast-
ing her in Broken Images was his way of ensuring
hen Raell Padamsee speaks about the- the role had both intellectual weight and emotional
atre, there is a spark in her voice that authenticity,” Raell says.
Wcarries both pride and responsibility. As She fondly recalls a memory from their Sin-
the daughter of legendary theatre director Alyque gapore staging of the play: “The response was so
Padamsee and actress Pearl Padamsee, Raell grew overwhelming that the auditorium filled to capac-
up immersed in the magic of the stage. Today, she ity, and Dad and I actually had to sit outside be-
is not only preserving that legacy but also reshaping cause there were no seats left for us. For me, that
it for a new generation—balancing reverence for moment captured exactly what he envisioned: the-
tradition with the courage to innovate. atre that moved people so deeply that it transcend-
Her latest endeavour, taking Broken Imag- ed borders, languages, and even our own access to
es—directed by Alyque himself and starring the it!”
incomparable Shabana Azmi—to the US, starting
with New York this October, feels particularly per- LOOKING AHEAD
sonal. “Broken Images is very close to my heart be-
cause it reflects both the artistry and vision of my aell is determined that Alyque’s contribu-
father, Alyque Padamsee,” she says. tions to theatre and advertising should not
“He directed it with such brilliance—merging Rbe relegated to nostalgia. Along with new
theatre and technology in a way that was ahead productions—Unfaithfully Yours starring Mona
of its time. Bringing it to the US, and especial- Singh and Rohit Roy, Untitled and Aruna’s Story
ly to New York, feels like completing a circle— with Lushin Dubey—she is working on a Virtual
taking Indian theatre of international quality to Alyque Padamsee Museum. The immersive plat-
the world stage, just as Alyque always believed it form will allow audiences to rediscover his iconic
should be.” plays, ad campaigns, and creative philosophy.
For Raell, staging this production is far more She has also overseen the release of Alyque’s
than another theatre tour. It is an act of homage. final book, Let Me Hijack Your Mind, co-authored
“This performance is not just about staging a play; with Vandana Saxena Poria and published by Pen-
it’s about sharing his legacy with global audiences guin India. “True to his style, the book is bold and
and proving, once again, that Indian theatre can be provocative—it challenges deep-rooted societal
world-class, bold, and relevant. It’s an honour to THEATRE AS SOCIAL CATALYST beliefs and invites readers to rethink love, mar-
both Girish Karnad and Dad,” she reflects. riage, money, gender, leadership, and faith. It is
aell’s projects frequently extend beyond art, truly Dad’s legacy for the future—it teaches peo-
COURAGE AS LEGACY entering the realm of activism. In 2024, she ple to question their innermost thoughts and fol-
Rcollaborated with theatre veteran Lushin low only those that lead to a flourishing life,” she
sk Raell what she considers her father’s Dubey for the Rise Up for Equality!! festival, show- says.
greatest gift, and the answer is immediate: casing women-centric plays while working with the
Acourage. “My father’s legacy is one of cour- Mumbai Police’s Nirbhaya Squad to promote the THE GUIDING VOICE
age—courage to experiment, to challenge norms, women’s helpline “103.” “This was more than the-
and to tell stories that matter. He taught me that atre—it was a mission to make Maharashtra the o Raell, her father’s influence is not confined
theatre must be larger than entertainment; it safest state in the world. By amplifying the helpline, to memory; it remains a daily compass. “Aly-
should provoke thought, stir emotion, and reflect we aimed to create awareness, galvanise action, Tque Padamsee was a visionary. He redefined
the society we live in,” she says. and push for institutional change,” she recalls. what theatre could be in India—grand in scale,
This philosophy lies at the heart of her work In this way, Raell carries forward not just her uncompromising in quality, and deeply human in
with the CREATE Foundation, which she found- father’s artistic courage but also her mother’s com- storytelling. He was exacting, yes, but his precision
ed in 2002. Through productions like Rediscover passion. “For me, this is how I continue the legacy was born out of love for the craft. For him, theatre
the Epic, Mahatma, and The Sound of Music, she of both Alyque and Pearl Padamsee—by ensuring was sacred—it demanded rigor, passion, and hon-
has brought together children from mainstream theatre remains a catalyst for transformation, em- esty. To me, he was not just a father, but a mentor
schools and marginalized NGOs—including dif- powerment, and lasting social change.” whose voice still guides me every time I step into
ferently abled children—on one stage. “Integra- rehearsal,” she reflects.
tion has been at the heart of all our work… giving THE SHABANA AZMI CONNECTION She adds, with humility, “If I can achieve even
them equal space to shine on stage,” she explains. a fraction of the impact he made on stage, I will
That mission continues with her upcoming roken Images also represents a creative con- feel I have done justice to his legacy.”
play Alice in Paradise, which reimagines the clas- vergence between Alyque and one of his
sic tale while uniting children across diverse back- Bmost admired collaborators, Shabana Azmi. (Murtaza Ali Khan is an award-winning
grounds. “Our whole life ethos, thanks to both Al- “Shabana and my father shared a bond rooted in cultural writer and critic with more than a decade
yque and my mother Pearl, was using theatre not artistry, mutual respect, and a relentless pursuit of and a half experience.
just to entertain, but to give back,” she adds. truth on stage. He always admired her ability to He can be reached at [email protected]).

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