Singapore’s theatre aficionados are in for a rare cultural treat, as legendary Indian poet and lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi’s life story unfolds on stage in the much-acclaimed play Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon.
The evocative production, directed and performed by acclaimed actor and storyteller Danish Husain, will be staged at the Victoria Theatre on April 11 at 7pm.
Brought to Singapore by Limelight Arts, Action Replay – Events & Entertainment and Vmall Entertainment, the play has already captivated audiences in Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad.
It continues to receive critical acclaim for its rich storytelling, soulful music and nuanced portrayal of Sahir – a poet whose verses remain etched in the collective memory of generations.
Sahir, who died in 1980, is known for his hauntingly beautiful lyrics in Bollywood films such as Pyaasa, Kabhi Kabhie and Phir Subah Hogi. His poetic voice championed the oppressed and challenged societal injustices, touching on themes like Partition, poverty, love and secularism.
Through Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon, audiences are invited not just to witness Sahir’s life, but to experience his ideals, contradictions and unwavering commitment to truth.
“His relevance has not diminished – in fact, it’s more important now than ever to rediscover him,” says Husain, who plays Sahir in the production.
The play originated during the 11th anniversary celebrations of Husain’s theatre company, Hoshruba Repertory, at Mumbai’s iconic Prithvi Theatre. Creative producer Amita Talwar approached Husain with a script on Sahir’s life by United States-based writer Mir Ali Husain.
“It was beautiful, but written as a monologue,” Husain recalls. To deepen the narrative, he combined it with elements from Dastan-e-Sahir, a theatrical storytelling piece by noted dastango Himanshu Bajpai.
The result is a multi-layered experience: one part of the stage shows Sahir in his study, giving a reflective interview, while the other half recreates a 1970s recording studio where musicians gossip, reminisce and perform Sahir’s iconic songs.
This dual narrative captures both the public legacy and the private vulnerabilities of the poet.
The play interweaves Sahir’s story with renditions of his most beloved songs, including “Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon” and “Ye Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaye Toh Kya Hai”.
Live music by artistes like Shantanu Herlekar (music director and disciple of Shubha Mudgal), vocalist Srijonee Bhattacharya and percussionist Siddharth Padiyar elevates the performance into an immersive experience.
“The audience doesn’t just watch,” says Husain. “They sing along, weep, and laugh – they become part of Sahir’s world.”
While many remember Sahir as a romantic lyricist courted by cinema’s most influential women, this play looks deeper – at the man shaped by a troubled childhood, an indomitable mother and a fierce sense of justice.
Joining Husain on stage are a talented ensemble of musicians and actors, including Vrinda Vaid Hayat, Siddharth Padiyar and Donald Krist.
At its heart, Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon is more than a biographical play – it is a tribute to poetry, resistance, and the power of staying true to one’s voice.
“We don’t deify or condemn Sahir,” says Husain. “We present him as he was – layered, flawed, principled and deeply human.”
