Lights On Theatre – 1947 Aur Alzheimer’s

Succinctly put, this play offers a comic, satirical, and refreshingly original take on the Partition of India in 1947. The narrative unfolds through the memories of a 90-year-old man—Ghazanfar Hussain—who is also living with Alzheimer’s. As he attempts to recall the immediate and long-term aftermath of Partition, his fading memory adds both poignancy and humor. His non-academic, anecdotal, often factually incorrect yet deeply human recollections challenge conventional narratives and stereotypes surrounding the event—its causes, its purpose, its cost, and its legacy.

What makes this account especially compelling is that it is based largely on a true story. Ghazanfar Hussain was my grandfather, born in 1910 and passing in 2005. He shared his memories with me. Woven from his vivid, flawed, and heartfelt recollections, this play is both a personal tribute and an attempt to reimagine history through the lens of memory, humor, and love.

– Dr. M. Sayeed Alam