PRESS COVERAGE
“When Gandhi and Mohammed Meet – A Powerful Take on Interfaith Marriages.”
https://interfaithmarriages.org/when-gandhi-and-mohammed-meet-a-powerful-take-on-interfaith-marriages/
— Mike Ghouse
“From Bengali Page to American Stage - Journey of Much-Loved Comic Tale”
By Rahul Nair
Online version: https://t2online.in/events/events-1/challenges-faced-by-setu-in-adapting-bengali-novel-for-the-stage/1216258
— THE TELEGRAPH
“Birth of the Boson" is one of WBUR's 5 things to do this weekend in the Boston area.”
— The ARTery's Weekend Preview
“From the Big Bang to the Hadron Collider”
By Rahul Nair
The very first question for SETU’s latest production – a staged reading of Birth of the Boson by retired Cornell professor Hasan Padamsee – is why painstakingly put together a reading and not mount a full-blown production? Typically, a staged reading is a minimalistic approach that highlights the script, the dialogue and dynamics between characters.
DISCLAIMER: The play is based on real characters and events; but for dramatization, creative license was applied in parts of the script with dialogues and portrayal of characters.
https://indianewengland.com/setu-presents-from-the-big-bang-to-the-hadron-collider-this-friday-and-saturday-in-burlington/
— INDIA NEW ENGLAND NEWS
“For 20 years, a Boston theater company has been opening a window into Indian culture”
Over the course of two decades and 30 productions, Stage Ensemble Theater Unit has been bringing the stories of India — traditional, contemporary, and experimental — to local audiences. The semi-professional company will be wrapping up its 20th-anniversary season this weekend at the Mosesian Center for the Arts with “Andha Yug (The Age of Darkness),” presented with two different casts.
— Boston Globe
“HUSH-HUSH: A 70’s Indian Middle-Class Family Dramedy Once Adapted to All-Time Popular Indian Movie Chupke Chupke”
By Ronita Panda
BOSTON– After SETU’s successful last production Andha-Yug, that took you through the harrowing sadness of destruction from a war, it is time to tickle your funny bones with our super cheerful next venture releasing this April.
https://indianewengland.com/setu-presents-hush-hush-a-70s-indian-middle-class-family-dramedy-once-adapted-to-all-time-popular-indian-movie-chupke-chupke/
— INDIA NEW ENGLAND NEWS
“From Page to Screen to Stage: Challenges of Directing Three Dozen Actors, Dancers and Narrators”
By Rahul Nair
The story gently mocks regressive mindsets like the obsession with English, gender stereotypes, and the colonial hangover, all while maintaining an entertaining and lighthearted narrative. It presents subversive possibilities like a married woman running away with a chauffeur, her husband starting a new relationship and engaging in bigamy. Illustrating what could happen when societal foundations are shaken, making a statement about the impracticalities of being too rigid or hung up on tradition.
https://americankahani.com/perspectives/from-page-to-screen-to-stage-challenges-of-directing-three-dozen-actors-dancers-and-narrators/
— AMERICAN KAHANI
“After Four Successful Shows This Fall, SETU Brings Back Mahabharata-Based Play “Andha Yug” Dec. 15-17 in Watertown, MA”
By Dipali Trivedi and Rohit Chandra
WATERTOWN, MA— After four successful shows this fall, SETU brings back Mahabharata-based play “Andha Yug” on Dec. 15-17 at Mosessian Theater in Watertown, MA.
The Mahabharata, one of the world’s oldest and most revered epics, provides profound insights into the human morality, dilemma, and the consequences of war. At its core, the Mahabharata highlights the futility of war, showcasing how conflict often leads to devastating outcomes, both individually and societally. In examining this ancient text, we can draw valuable lessons relevant in our modern world, where the echoes of warfare persist.
https://indianewengland.com/after-four-successful-shows-this-fall-setu-brings-back-mahabharata-based-play-andha-yug-dec-15-17-in-watertown-ma/
— INDIA NEW ENGLAND NEWS
“For 20 years, a Boston theater company has been opening a window into Indian culture”
Over the course of two decades and 30 productions, Stage Ensemble Theater Unit has been bringing the stories of India — traditional, contemporary, and experimental — to local audiences. The semi-professional company will be wrapping up its 20th-anniversary season this weekend at the Mosesian Center for the Arts with “Andha Yug (The Age of Darkness),” presented with two different casts.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/12/11/arts/20-years-boston-theater-company-has-been-opening-window-into-indian-culture
— Boston Globe
“Boston’s Stage Ensemble Theatre Celebrates 20th Anniversary With Mahabharata-Based Play ‘Andha Yug’ ”
The central appeal of the play lies in its ruthless examination of the futility of war. Through its characters, the play reflects on how even the most noble of causes can lead to senseless violence and destruction.
https://americankahani.com/perspectives/bostons-stage-ensemble-theatre-celebrates-20th-anniversary-with-mahabharata-inspired-play-andha-yug/?fbclid=IwAR3kLSuOOS4GYwVLZP6O1w20YeGByrOuwIhykLIAuKJwWrRFxuJb45UY3LY
— AMERICAN KAHANI
“OP-ED: Review of Recent Play by Independent Indian Theater Group”
Twenty years ago SETU emerged as a theatrical troupe introducing Greater Boston to Indian drama. Since its 2003 founding it has staged 30 plays spanning reenactments of historical epics, sketches of love, and contemporary socio-economic realities such as casteism. … It is rightly fitting the troupe’s production of Andha Yug be a culmination of not only SETU’s excellence in live performance but also its leadership in promoting the visibility of Indian arts within the region.
https://www.watertownmanews.com/2023/10/11/op-ed-review-of-recent-play-by-independent-indian-theater-group/?fbclid=IwAR1fbsF2StCmHD--IWm1O_FmYczKSOO7DGeu8zSAOLSY0AnO7Qx5Vf1ogts
— Watertown News
“SETU Presents Mahabharata-Based Play Andha Yug: The Age of Darkness”
Between a manipulated victory over the invincible warriors on one side or ensuring good wins over the evil by hook or crook to set the right example for generations ahead – who really WON after losing those loved ones of many? There wasn’t one character who could clearly stand on white or black side of ethical morality – what made Mahabharata relatable was the gray in even who was deemed Godly by the mere mortals.
https://indianewengland.com/setu-presents-mahabharata-based-play-andha-yug-the-age-of-darkness/?fbclid=IwAR17fssSukgGWn4iS_wD59AvWA07ka8OiJQCr0togBaYHvaowW3bPy1RZmk
— INDIA NEW ENGLAND NEWS
“A Theatrical Quest To End Social Discrimination”
Art is most powerful when it’s used to raise awareness about the social injustice to bring social change, theater is one of those art forms that leave a long-lasting impression on viewers by challenging their mindsets and encouraging them to think outside the box.
https://www.mid-day.com/brand-media/article/a-theatrical-quest-to-end-social-discrimination-23276464
— MID-DAY
“Casting Out Caste in the “Fifth” Veda Style Through Three Plays for SETU”
https://indianewengland.com/casting-out-caste-in-the-fifth-veda-style-through-three-plays-for-setu/
— INDIA NEW ENGLAND NEWS
“Setu, Boston Based Theatre Group Stages A Hijra Drama And Holds A Panel Discussion On The Global Transgender Community”
https://www.outlookindia.com/outlook-spotlight/setu-boston-based-theatre-group-stages-a-hijra-drama-and-holds-a-panel-discussion-on-the-global-transgender-community-news-246935?fbclid=IwAR2is6pPK1X8UQVAC98FaCG0Hxz735jkHGCOXdbergJlx0aJa8BWJOLy1UQ
— OUTLOOK INDIA
‘Troupe shines light on oppression of India’s third gender’
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/11/10/arts/theater-company-shines-light-oppression-indias-third-gender
— Boston Globe
“Embracing gender diversity with SETU’s latest production, “Seven Steps Around the Fire”
— Guest Blog by Dipali Trivedi
https://www.artsboston.org/2022/11/09/guest-blog-embracing-gender-diversity-with-setus-latest-production-seven-steps-around-the-fire/#
