Somewhere in a Melbourne suburb, despite the winter chill, a motley crew of actors is busy rehearsing for their upcoming performance in the finals, just a few weeks away. There is something oddly comforting in the air; there is food, chatter, and a shared belief that the rehearsals are the best part of the performance process. Above all, they are preparing to present, for the first time, the musical production of “Devdas,” a timeless literary masterpiece.
Leading this ambitious project is Harsiddhi Mody, the founder of Khelaiya Productions. Driven by a passion for bringing the core music of India – folk and classical – backed by a rich narrative, Mody has assembled talented local artists to bring “Devdas” to life.
A quick search on Google shows that Devdas, a Bengali romance novel written by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, has been adapted on screen 20 times for film and five times for single songs.
“But Devdas as a Hindi musical play has not been done anywhere else,” says Mody, adding, “The book, which has been popular for over a century, combined with music, dance, creative art, and customs of West Bengal, is a real treat for a director (like herself).”
Mody read the book written by Chattopadhyay in Hindi, and as it is a musical, she had to work within the given format and framework of the stage, unlike a movie. Although she wanted to depict the characters as per Chattopadhyay’s book, she also aimed to infuse her own perception and interpretation of the characters, especially from a woman’s perspective, for both the main and supporting roles.
“With all this in mind, I wrote the scenes, developed the characters, and embedded folk and semi-classical songs and dances into the musical,” she shares, hoping the audience will appreciate their attempt to present “Devdas” as a story through music.
This project has been a year in the making. Last year, Mody began working on the outline and characters who would be on stage, finalising the artists, musicians, and support team during that time. The script was written in early March this year, and rehearsals started in mid-April.
While the show is quite profound, Mody shares an amusing story. “Many team members thought Devdas was a lawyer and his father a judge, like in the Bollywood Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie.
“When I explained it’s actually about feudalism and patriarchy in a small village, some suggested we adapt Bhansali’s version, fearing the audience wouldn’t accept ours. It took a few sessions to clarify my vision and focus on Chattopadhyay’s original story. I had to remind them, ‘We’re here to create our own version, not follow someone else’s!’”
A pleasant surprise for her was that many people wanted to join the production, even as ensemble members. Mody describes herself as a storyteller who aims to “keep the soul of the story intact”.
The songs she selected are folk pieces from Bengal, paying tribute to poets and musicians like Lalon Fakir, Radharaman Dutta, and Rabindranath Tagore. The production also features North Indian music and dance relevant to Chandramukhi’s character, including kathak, ghazal, and thumri.
“Period drama and authenticity are created through props, costumes, songs, and dialogues, but at the same time, we have tried to keep the story engaging and relevant to the new generation,” she adds.
Rishi, who plays Devdas, finds the role challenging as he delves into its layers. “Everybody, including myself, has a different way of preparing. I like to start by reading the text and understanding the relationships and objectives of the character,” he explains. “My job as an actor is to bring out the best and breathe life into the character on stage.”
Meanwhile, the cast and crew of Devdas are hopeful that those who understand and appreciate the arts will come and support their endeavor.
Sanjana Athavale, who plays Chandramukhi, one of the three leads, urges, “Devdas, born and bred in Melbourne, features an incredible producer-director, a multitude of talented artists, elaborate sets, and professionals in dance and music.”
With the clock ticking to the final countdown, Mody acknowledges Melbourne’s vibrant multicultural scene for having influenced and contributed to their production of “Devdas.”
“We have been performing not only in Hindi but also in Urdu and English, and would welcome people from all communities and different walks of life to come and join our community theatre so we can produce more stories from across the globe and create a bigger tribe of Khelaiyans, performers.”
“Devdas,” the first Hindi musical in Melbourne, will be performed at Drum Theatre on July 21st and 22nd. For details, click here.
The Indian Sun acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.
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