Nautanki is a traditional form of folk theatre from North India, especially popular in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Haryana
Nautanki is a vibrant, musical folk theatre known for its dramatic storytelling, lively songs, humor, and social messages. Performed in open-air settings, often during village fairs (melas), it blends music, dance, and dialogue to narrate tales from mythology, romance, folklore, or current events. With colorful costumes and exaggerated acting, Nautanki is both entertaining and thought-provoking; the street’s stage for the common people.
Nautanki Theatre, spearheaded by Neel Bannerjee, has borrowed the essence of the Nautanki art form in its offerings.
Based in Western Sydney, Nautanki Theatre champions live South Asian theatre in NSW through cultural development, community engagement, education, and performance.
Neel Bannerjee, Creative Director, Nautanki Theatre // Photo supplied
Since 2012, they have staged six acclaimed productions, launched the South Asian Theatre Festival, and reached over 100,000 people annually with vibrant, cross-cultural storytelling and bringing stories to life, celebrating shared heritage and reflecting the diverse voices of contemporary Australia.
Nautanki Theatre is gearing up to showcase their 10th Annual South Asian Theatre Mela in Parramatta on 24, 25 & 26 July 2025. Program and venue details are below.
| PROGRAM DETAILS | ||||
| DATE | RAFFERTYS AUDITORIUM | LENNOX AUDITORIUM | RIVERSIDE THEATRE COURTYARD | ARTS & CULTURAL EXCHANGE |
| THURSDAY 24 JULY |
7:00pm-8:15pm Khowaj Khizr er Sinduk – The Ark of Khowaj Khizr (Lokojog Collectives from Bangladesh) |
7:45pm-9:00pm KaMeeNi Play by Abida Malik |
6:00pm-9:00pm Food Truck/Food Corner |
5:30pm-6:30pm Shokaparva Play in Marathi |
| FRIDAY 25 JULY |
7:00pm-9:00pm Unscripted, Uzma Gillani (Telefilm – Presentation – Q&A) Dhoop jali |
7:45pm-9:00pm KaMeeNi Play by Abida Malik |
5:30pm-7:00pm Folk Song – Baul Jakir Hossain and group (3 musicians performing) |
N/A |
| 6:00pm-9:30pm Food Truck/ Food Corner |
||||
| SATURDAY 26 JULY |
1:00pm-2:15pm Khowaj Khizr er Sinduk – The Ark of Khowaj Khizr (Lokojog Collectives from Bangladesh) |
7:30pm-8:30pm The Dance Theatre – Double Bill Tilototama: A Letter Lost in Transit & Bunty Barber |
12:30pm-1:30pm Voice of Tomorrow – Children’s Band / Music LGBT / Satrangi Style |
3:00pm-4:00pm Nokshi Kotha – Paper Presentation |
| 3:00pm-5:00pm Unscripted, Uzma Gillani (Telefilm – Presentation – Q&A) Dhoop jali |
4:30pm-7:00pm Book-Talk Open Mic |
5:30pm-6:30pm Shokaparva Play in Marathi |
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| 6:00pm-7:00pm Artfully Yours… Avijit Sarkar |
9:15pm-10:30pm Band-Antariksh Closing Ceremony |
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| 12:00pm-10:00pm Food Truck/Food Corner |
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Venues
- Raffertys Auditorium & Lennox Auditorium, Riverside Theatres Parramatta
- Courtyard, Riverside Theatres Parramatta
- Arts & Cultural Exchange, 8 Victoria Road, Parramatta
Nautanki welcomes you to its grand magical Mela!
- To book your tickets head to https://riversideparramatta.com.au
- For more information, www.nautanki.org.au
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