The five-day “Kalegala Sangada Matukate” (A Conversation with Arts) festival in Heggodu, Sagar taluk, drew to a close with a mesmerizing performance of Koohoo. Directed by Arunlal, this powerful play by Kerala’s Little Earth School of Theatre left a packed Shivarama Karantha Rangamandira audience spellbound on Sunday, October 5, 2025.
Uniquely, the train itself emerges as a central character in Koohoo, with scenes unfolding across various railway stations. Through these poignant journeys, the play weaves together diverse narratives touching on critical themes: the devastating impact of war, pivotal moments in the Indian freedom movement, the profound sacrifices of soldiers, the pain of communal hatred, and the perceived indifference of the state towards the suffering of ordinary people.
A scene from ‘Koohoo,’ staged at Heggodu in Sagar taluk on October 5, 2025.
Audiences were particularly captivated by the ingenious use of simple steel trunk boxes, which transformed effortlessly throughout the performance. These versatile props served as everything from musical instruments and railway wagons to Gandhi’s spinning wheel, a dustbin, and even the interiors of a train coach. Each creative transformation was met with enthusiastic applause, highlighting the director’s innovative vision.
Director Arunlal portrays historical events at various railway stations in ‘Koohoo.’
Playwright-director Arunlal masterfully uses the journey of the train to recount significant historical events tied to stations like Chandini, Begunkodoor, Dimapur, Podanur, Godhra, Kakori, Lahore, and Pretoria in South Africa. The audience is transported to Begunkodoor in West Bengal, which lay abandoned for 42 years after a mysterious death, and to Pretoria, South Africa, where Mahatma Gandhi was infamously removed from a first-class train in 1893, despite holding a valid ticket.
The narrative vividly recalls the tragic burning of karsevaks at Godhra in 2002. It also sheds light on the harrowing deaths of farmers at Podanur railway station in 1921, who perished in a windowless wagon after being arrested for revolting against the British. Kakori station marks a crucial chapter in India’s freedom struggle, while Lahore station evokes the poignant imagery of the partition. Adding another layer of cultural depth, the play even features a captivating enactment of the iconic train scene from Satyajit Ray’s cinematic masterpiece, Pather Panchali.
Beyond historical events, Koohoo’s powerful performance drew attention to recent global crises, including conflicts in Manipur and Gaza. The narrator delivered a poignant, resonant message to the audience: “War may happen in a distant land, but slowly it will reach you.”
A captivating moment from the 105-minute play, ‘Koohoo,’ performed at Heggodu in Sagar taluk on October 5.
The play’s exceptional music and choreography were notable highlights. The ambient background score skillfully evoked the bustling atmosphere of a railway station, complete with realistic announcements of arriving and departing trains. Koohoo concluded on a powerfully hopeful note: “The train to equality and peace is running late, expected to arrive.”
This 105-minute production held the audience spellbound from start to finish. Long after the final scene, viewers lingered, engrossed in conversations about the captivating performances, intricate choreography, evocative lighting, compelling narration, and the innovative staging.