“Europe belongs to Picasso, Matisse, Braque and many others. India belongs only to me,” – these lines of Amrita Sher-Gil, one of India’s visionary artists, epitomize her mysterious life. Born in Budapest in 1913, she lived throughout Europe until her untimely death in Lahore at the age of 28. His words were not mere boasts, but the distilled truth of a life lived at the intersection of continents and cultures.
A new play by Ishara Puppet Theatre, brings the life of Amrita Shergill to the stage. She challenged conventions and became one of the most influential figures in global art. Through live puppetry, kaleidoscopic sets, video projections, classical music and emotional storytelling, the production celebrates his legacy.
Designed and directed by Dadi D. Pudumji and presented by Ishara Puppet Theater – the 60-minute production in English – tells its story through puppetry for the first time. It is based on a project initiated by five art students who bring his life story to life through paintings, letters and biographical accounts.
Scenes from the life of an eminent artist. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Every year, Ishara Puppet Theater and the group prepare a new performance, some for children, some for young adults and mature audiences. “After our game, be yourselfI found myself drawn to a theme around art. That search naturally led me to Amrita Shergill. Many people know his iconic paintings and his short, dramatic life, but once we looked deeper we realized there is so much more to show,” says puppeteer Pudumji, founder of Ishara Puppet Theater Trust.
The foundation of the play’s research was rooted in Amrita’s letters to her friends and family, which highlight her intelligence, wit, vulnerability and fierce independence. “We also drew from documented biographies, archival photographs and critical studies of her paintings. Instead of just presenting the facts, we immersed ourselves in her voice – her doubts, confidence and sense of her destiny. Her correspondence forms the emotional backbone of the play. The research phase was deeply fascinating, allowing us to go beyond the myth and into the lived experience of a young woman – negotiating identity, culture and artistic ambition,” shares Pudumjee.
The scholarly writings of Yashodhara Dalmia and the archival collections of her nephew Vivaan Sundaram were invaluable. “Vivaan’s volumes, in particular, provide intimate access to Amrita’s letters, photographs and personal reflections. We were also inspired by the accounts of relatives in Hungary and India – which offered a cross-cultural perspective of her life. These sources helped us understand not only her artistic development, but also the emotional and geographical world in which she lived. The play does not directly repeat these materials, but they shaped our interpretation and Gave information about authenticity,” says Pudumji.
Every year, Ishara Puppet Theater and Group prepare a new performance, some for children, some for young adults and mature audiences. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
It may have started as a tentative idea, but the play took shape from one of Amrita’s black-and-white images displayed in a Paris café, where she is talking with fellow students. Actors, puppeteers, designers and musicians further shaped the image of a café. This led to the concept that five art students worked on. “For the first time in an Ishara production the actors are combined with naturalistic puppets in a more integrated way.”
Music plays an important role in Ishara’s productions. “It offers emotional shifts and atmosphere beyond words. Costumes, sculpture, lighting and movement add layers to the storytelling. Theater is never a solitary act, it is a shared act of imagination between artists and dreamers working towards the same vision. For me, theater should always push boundaries, like Amrita did,” says Pudumji.
Amrita Shergill: A Life Lived will premiere on February 22 at 4 pm and 7.30 pm at Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
published – February 17, 2026 02:46 PM IST