Growing Up

13 part television documentary series

In the mid‑90s, one of Raqs’ earliest projects took shape with the 13‑part documentary series Growing Up for Doordarshan’s Channel 3. The series captures the childhood journeys of 13 prominent figures—from artists and writers to scientists, psychologists, social scientists, puppeteers, and theatre directors. Each episode delves into the environments and experiences that shaped these individuals, examining not only how they developed their distinctive paths but also the worlds they constructed around them.

Growing Up thoughtfully explores what is retained, what is left behind, and how early experiences forge one’s identity. In doing so, it invites viewers to reflect on the interplay between personal history and creative practice

Currently, six episodes are available on YouTube as part of Doordarshan’s archival collection.

In Character-Ebrahim Alkazi

Episode
Duration, 28′ 31″

A master of contemporary Indian theatre, drama teacher and one of the best post independence directors, Ebrahim Alkazi revolutionized the stage with his meticulous direction, pedagogical rigor, and bold artistic vision. Alkazi shaped generations of actors and theatre practitioners. With over 50 productions to his credit—including prominent works like like Tughlaq, Ashadh Ka Ek Din, and Andha Yug—his work redefined the possibilities of Indian theatre.

Drawing from Memory : Manjula Padmanabhan

Episode
Duration, 29′ 21″

Playwright, journalist, comic strip artist, and children’s book author—Manjula Padmanabhan’s body of work spans multiple disciplines. Whether through dystopian fiction, sharp political cartoons, or deeply perceptive essays, her work grapples with issues of gender, technology, power, and inequality with a keen eye on contemporary anxieties.

The Inner Worlds of Sudhir Kakar : Sudhir Kakar

Episode
Duration, 28′ 58″

Sudhir Kakar, renowned psychoanalyst, cultural theorist, and novelist, has spent decades unraveling the intersections of psychology, religion, and Indian society. Recognized internationally—featured in The New York Times, Le Monde, Frankfurter Allgemeine, Neue Zuricher Zeitung, Die Zeit and Le Nouvel Observateur—he has been hailed as one of the key thinkers of the 21st century.

The Morning of the Evening Star : Zohra Sehgal

Episode
Duration, 29′ 52″

A luminous presence on stage and screen, Zohra Sehgal’s career has spanned dance, theatre, and cinema. With an infectious wit and an undying passion for performance, she began her career as a member of a contemporary dance troupe and transitioned into acting roles beginning in the 1940s.

Picture Postcards from Nehtaur : Qurratulain Hyder

Episode
Duration, 28′ 44″

Qurratulain Hyder is an influential Indian Urdu novelist and short story writer, an academic, and a journalist. Her writing is a bridge between past and present, memory and history. With an extraordinary ability to blend the personal with the political, her novels and short stories have shaped modern Urdu literature. Her seminal works, including Aag Ka Darya (River of Fire), weave vast historical tapestries, chronicling the flow of time across civilizations.

Diptych : Arpana Caur and Ajeet Caur

Episode
Duration, 28′ 55″

A conversation between two generations of artists, this episode brings together author Ajeet Caur and her daughter, painter Arpana Caur, to explore their intertwined creative and personal journeys. Ajeet Caur’s writing is deeply rooted in the trauma and resilience of partition, while Arpana Caur’s visual art engages with portrayals of women in urban environments. Together, their narratives form a diptych—two distinct yet interrelated perspectives on memory, struggle, and artistic expression.