Dr. Pu. Thi. Narasimhachar’s Deepalakshmi

Dancers and musicians rehearsed on Sept. 2, 2023 at Sanatana Dharma Kendra in San Jose, Calif. for the upcoming dance drama, Dr. Pu. Thi. Narasimhachar’s Deepalakshmi. Produced by Alamelu Iyengar Productions, the drama will be presented at Kannada Koota of Northern California’s Swarna Mahotsava event on Sept. 23-24 at Chabot College in Hayward California.

Chinmayi Bettadapur guides the dancers during rehearsals of the upcoming dance drama “Deepalakshmi.” Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Abhishek Gubbi Basavaraj practices his dance moves during rehearsals of the upcoming dance drama “Deepalakshmi.” Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Alamelu Iyengar speaks with one of the dancers during rehearsals of her dance drama production “Deepalakshmi.” Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Vinita Venkatesh demonstrates the placement of a prop during rehearsals of the upcoming dance drama “Deepalakshmi.” Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Ajay Narasimha laughs during rehearsals of the upcoming dance drama “Deepalakshmi.” Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Music Director Subhapriya Srivatsan during the rehearsals for the dance drama “Deepalakshmi.” Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
A group of female dancers take a selfie after rehearsals of the upcoming dance drama “Deepalakshmi.” Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.

Sujit Saraf’s Bombay Talkies

Naatak’s 2023-2024 season started this past weekend with the first performance of Bombay Talkies, written and directed by Sujit Saraf. Here is look at rehearsals and behind the scenes moments on Sept. 2, 2023, opening night, at Cubberly Theatre in Palo Alto, California. The play runs from 9/2- 10/1.

Nachiketa Yakkundi (center left) as Ghulam Ali Khan during dress rehearsals for “Bombay Talkies.” Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
A scene from the movie “Sholay” during dress rehearsals for “Bombay Talkies.” Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Rohit Chuarey as Raghu during dress rehearsals for “Bombay Talkies.” Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Writer and Director Sujit Saraf and ensemble practicing the final curtain call during dress rehearsals for “Bombay Talkies.” Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Writer and Director Sujit Saraf manning the curtain during dress rehearsals for “Bombay Talkies.” Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Shwetha Subraya, who acts as Helen, applies her makeup on opening night for “Bombay Talkies.” Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Rajeesh Tripathi and Juhi Mohan make some last minute fixes to the stage set for “Bombay Talkies” on opening night. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Actors for “Bombay Talkies” relax backstage before opening night. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Writer and Director Sujit Saraf (center) takes a look at the crown on opening for “Bombay Talkies”. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Ticket holders choose their seats on opening night for “Bombay Talkies.” Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Two ladies sit outside waiting to be let into the auditorium on opening night of “Bombay Talkies.” Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
The sold out crowed outside the auditorium on opening night of “Bombay Talkies.” Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.

Sree Sripathy joined India Currents as a staff photographer and CatchLight Local Fellow as part of CatchLight's California Local Visual Desk program in June 2022. Reach out with story ideas or comments...