Last evening at the LGT Auditorium, Delhi, I had the pleasure of watching the stage adaptation of Sudha Murthy’s beloved story, “How I Taught My Grandmother to Read.” I went in with modest expectations, but left deeply moved and thoroughly impressed.
The greatest strength of this production lay in the commanding performances of its two central characters—the little girl Seeya and her grandmother Vijaya. Their dynamic brought a genuine warmth and credibility to the narrative; every emotion felt true and never forced. The direction and design by Munish Sharma, paired with thoughtful dialogues penned by Mrinal Mathur, ensured the flow of the story felt both organic and engaging throughout.
Set in a quiet North Karnataka village, the play traces the subtle yet radical journey of Vijaya, a sixty-year-old grandmother who embarks on a mission to learn how to read with the help of her granddaughter. What starts as a simple summer routine of storytelling blossoms into a powerful narrative about self-worth, dignity, and transformation. The innocence of the tale, coupled with the sincerity of the performances, won the hearts of all present.
The standout scene—when Vijaya reads her first line—was so moving that I noticed more than a few teary eyes in the audience, myself included. It’s rare to see such unfeigned emotion ripple through a crowd.
In an era when most plays chase after contemporary issues, political statements, or grand historical recreations, this adaptation took a refreshing detour, focusing on timeless values and the simple acts of learning and loving. It’s a challenge to engage Delhi’s discerning theatre audience with something so subtle and untrendy, yet this team succeeded admirably.
Despite the minor drawbacks here and there, an occasional glitch in the soundtrack, and some uneven performances from the supporting cast, these were easily overshadowed by the heart and honesty that defined the production.
In short, “How I Taught My Grandmother to Read” is a quiet triumph—heartfelt, inspiring, and not to be missed. If you get the chance, do watch it. You might just find yourself applauding with tears in your eyes.
Performance witnessed at LGT Auditorium, Delhi, July 13th.
Anirban Dasgupta
