Mandi House: Where Delhi’s theatre legacy comes alive

Mandi House: In 1946, the late Inder Lal Dass had a vision—to create a theatre group that would leave an indelible mark on India’s performing arts scene. That dream became the Little Theatre Group (LTG). Along with a few close friends, he staged its first production, Society Ke Thekedar, at the Open Air Theatre in Lahore.

During this time, Dass, along with BM Shah and Ebrahim Alkazi, helped shape the cultural landscape of Indian theatre. A few years later, in 1954, construction of the LTG theatre began at Mandi House—an area that would soon become the very heart of Delhi’s theatre scene.

The evolution of a theatre hub

“Initially, plays were performed outdoors, beneath a tree in the lawns where the theatre would eventually be built,” recalled Davendra Popli, manager of operations at LTG, in an interview with Patriot.

“The first stage was quite rudimentary,” he added. “There were no chairs, so people would bring carpets from their homes and sit on the ground to watch the performances.”

Over the decades, Mandi House transformed. “From the structure of the building to the advent of technology, everything has evolved,” Popli noted. “The theatre now has modern amenities— microphones, seating, advanced lighting and sound systems, and a state-of-the-art wooden stage.”

The venue now boasts green rooms, dressing areas, and wardrobes, offering actors a professional space to hone their craft.

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A stage graced by legends

The LTG stage has hosted some of India’s most renowned film and theatre personalities. The late actor and poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan performed Othello here in January 1963.

“Over the years, actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore, Anupam Kher, Om Puri, Gulshan Grover, Satish Kaushik, and even newcomers like Manav Kaul have performed here,” Popli recalled.

For years, LTG played a crucial role in promoting theatre culture, offering free performances until 2012. With a seating capacity of 327, it remains one of Delhi’s most beloved performance venues.

Theatre’s golden age at Mandi House

Ashutosh Banerjee, a seasoned theatre actor and head of the education department at Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts (SRCPA), fondly remembers LTG’s legacy. “Piyush Mishra Sahab once spoke about rehearsing in the theatre’s basement. It must have been a unique experience,” he said.

Banerjee also recalled Ranjit Kapoor’s play Janpath Kiss, which drew massive crowds in the late 1980s. “There were long queues outside the Shri Ram Centre to buy tickets,” he said. “Times have changed—everything is digital now—but the memories remain.”

Institutions like Shri Ram Centre and the National School of Drama (NSD) have been instrumental in shaping talents who later left a significant mark on Indian cinema. “Actors such as Manoj Bajpayee, Piyush Mishra, Saurabh Shukla, Rajkummar Rao, and casting director Mukesh Chhabra all refined their craft here,” he added.

Currently, Shri Ram Centre offers two theatre courses—a full-time, one-year programme running from Monday to Saturday, and a part-time evening course.

The grandeur of Kamani Theatre

Established in 1971, Kamani Theatre has a seating capacity of 635 and has staged performances by some of the finest actors in the country.

“Zeenat Aman, Padmini Kolhapure, Naseeruddin Shah, Sharmila Tagore, Puneet Issar, and many others have performed here,” said VN Baloni, deputy manager at Kamani Theatre.

While the theatre’s structure remains largely unchanged, technology has advanced, particularly in lighting, which has transitioned from manual systems to digital LEDs.

Many actors who once performed here continue to visit. “Anupam Kher, Rakesh Bedi, and Vidhu Dara Singh often drop by whenever they’re in Delhi, sometimes just for a cup of tea,” he said with a smile.

Mandi House: A cultural landmark

At the heart of Delhi, Mandi House is more than just a physical space— it is a living, breathing testament to the evolution of Indian theatre. Originally home to the Mandi House Palace, built during the British colonial era, the area has transformed into a thriving centre for artistic expression.

The theatrical roots of Mandi House were firmly established in 1952 with the creation of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s national academy for music, dance, and drama. Its presence turned the area into a hub for performances, discussions, and workshops.

In 1959, NSD was established under the Sangeet Natak Akademi, marking a new chapter in Indian theatre. Under the visionary leadership of Ebrahim Alkazi from 1962 to 1972, NSD gained international recognition for its innovative approach, blending realism with indigenous theatre forms. The iconic NSD theatre building, adjacent to Mandi House, became the stage for numerous groundbreaking productions.

Chittaranjan Tripathy, the current NSD Director, spoke of the institute’s growth. “The NSD Repertory began with just four members, but over time, it expanded to 20. The facilities, courses, and infrastructure have all evolved,” he said.

“NSD has produced some of Bollywood’s finest actors, who still remember Mandi House and NSD with deep gratitude,” he added.

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Personal connections to Mandi House

Veteran actor Himani Shivpuri reminisced about her time at NSD. “We were part of NSD’s Repertory company, where we learned every aspect of acting. It nurtured our raw talent,” she said.

Actor and writer Manav Kaul also cherishes his association with Mandi House. “I have performed in several theatres here and continue to stage my plays in the area. The energy of the Delhi audience is unparalleled. I hope the theatre scene keeps thriving,” he said.

For popular Bollywood singer Rekha Bhardwaj, Mandi House holds nostalgic value. “During my college days in Delhi, we often visited Kamani, NSD, and other theatres to watch plays. We also enjoyed the street food,” she recalled.

Even today, Mandi House remains home to some of India’s most prestigious institutions, including Shri Ram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, Triveni Kala Sangam, the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and the Sahitya Akademi—continuing its legacy as the beating heart of Indian theatre.