F
resh from the success of its Hindi play Dastak, which drew packed houses in Melbourne this April, Khelaiya Productions is returning to the stage with an ambitious new work that blends theatre, music and social commentary.
Faujdar Ghashiram, adapted from Vijay Tendulkar’s acclaimed and controversial classic Ghashiram Kotwal, will be staged at the Drum Theatre in Dandenong on September 5.
But if you are expecting a straightforward adaptation, you are in for a surprise. Director Harsiddhi Mody has relocated the story from 18th-century Pune to Uttar Pradesh, reimagining the play through the cultural traditions, music and language of North India.
I asked Mody what drew her to such a well-worn and debated piece of theatre at this particular moment. “I’m always drawn to stories that continue to speak to us long after they were written,” she says.
Ghashiram Kotwal was written about the Peshwa era in Pune, but, she argues, its themes remain strikingly relevant today. “It is about how power, influence and wealth shape societies across all strata, something we continue to witness around the world today.”
For Khelaiya, which prides itself on theatre that is both artistic and deeply connected to the community, revisiting the classic felt like a natural choice.
“We are passionate about creating theatre that is artistically engaging and deeply connected to our community. This felt like the right moment to revisit a classic in a way that feels contemporary, thought-provoking and culturally rich.”
And where Faujdar Ghashiram gets really interesting is in the fact that music plays a central role in the storytelling.
Mody and her team have woven together traditional folk melodies, poetry by the 13th-century Sufi poet Amir Khusro, and original compositions by local musicians into a living, breathing theatrical experience.
Why Khusro? “Because the play is set in Uttar Pradesh,” explains Mody. “It would have been strange not to honour that heritage. Khusro is often regarded as the grandfather of qawwali. He wrote in Hindavi, Farsi and Avadhi, and his work reflects the cultural spirit of North India.”
She adds, “Uttar Pradesh’s musical heritage is enormous. You could stage ten plays and still not cover it all. We didn’t try to be a textbook. We simply followed the emotional needs of the story. Every song, every melody and every original composition is there because the scene demanded it.”
Not everyone walking into the theatre will know their thumri from their kajari, and Mody is OK with that. “The beautiful thing about folk music is that you don’t need a degree to feel it. These songs carry joy, longing, resilience and celebration. You just feel them.”
Like their earlier musical Manka Bapu, which introduced Melbourne audiences to elements of Gujarati folk culture, Mody hopes Faujdar Ghashiram will similarly spark curiosity about the artistic traditions of Uttar Pradesh.
“After Manka Bapu, so many audience members told us they’d picked up a few Kathiawadi words without even trying. They were curious. For me, that’s the joy of theatre. You leave with more than a story. You leave excited to discover something new.”
Two productions in one year is no small thing for a community theatre group. “What excites me most is that this growth is not just about attendance numbers. It is about people feeling represented, connected, and proud to see their stories on stage. It is also about creating opportunities for artists to collaborate, experiment, and share diverse cultural narratives.”
So who’s actually on stage?
“We’ve got performers from all kinds of backgrounds, all kinds of journeys,” says Modi.
There are four principal characters, but the real engine of the show is two sutradhars (narrators) and an ensemble of eight performers who shift between different strata of society from scene to scene. On top of that, live musicians perform on stage.
Inspired by nautanki traditions, Mody has shaped it to feel fresh. “Every single person on that stage is vital. This is collective storytelling in the truest sense.”
She calls it a celebration of community collaboration. “Behind every moment on stage is a group of passionate people who gave their time and talent generously. I’m just grateful to be part of the journey.”
Faujdar Ghashiram will be presented by Khelaiya Productions at the Drum Theatre, Dandenong, on Saturday, September 5, 2026. For tickets, click here
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