Hyderabad theatre: The play ‘If Lanterns Could Talk!’ explores caste, love and silence

Did you ever wonder what happens to stories we are not allowed to tell? In If Lanterns Could Talk!, they take the shape of a kurta and a chappal. Directed by Hyderabad-based Osman Ghani of Red Turtle Collective, in collaboration with Lighthouse Theatre, the performance reimagines an old folktale collected by A. K. Ramanujan. It is reframed to reflect present-day realities — questions of caste, love, marriage, control, censorship, and the burdens people carry.

“Our work grows from a deep commitment to craft and collaboration, and a belief that theatre can move, question and connect,” says Osman, who first staged a shorter version of the play during his Master’s in Performing Arts at Pondicherry University.