Kalakars Club Ryde Incorporated is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting Indian culture and heritage within Australia’s multicultural community.
On 6 June 2026, the club organised an Indian Musical Theatre & Melodies show at the North Ryde School of Arts Community Centre. The event was supported by a grant from the City of Ryde, which enabled the organisation to continue fostering artistic expression within the community. Councilor Keanu Arya attended the event on behalf of the Mayor of the City of Ryde and expressed appreciation for the performances.
The event was hosted by Rachna Gautam, who welcomed the audience and introduced the program.
The first half featured an Indian musical theatre production titled “A Dream,” a fusion dance drama inspired by a poem by the renowned Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore.
Rabindranath Tagore, also known as Rabindranath Thakur, was a distinguished poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer, and painter. He played a pivotal role in modernising Bengali literature by introducing new prose and verse forms and incorporating colloquial language, moving away from traditional Sanskrit-based structures. Tagore significantly influenced the global appreciation of Indian culture and, in 1913, became the first non-European Nobel laureate in Literature. His work reflects early Contextual Modernism, with themes that remain relevant today.
“A Dream” is a transcreation of Tagore’s poem “Swapna” from his collection Kalpana, translated into English by Kumud Biswas. Set against the backdrop of ancient India, the poem portrays a dreamlike reunion between two lovers, evoking nostalgia and longing. It explores themes of lost love and the impossibility of fully reclaiming the past, blending elements of mythology with contemporary emotional depth.
The poem incorporates rich sensory imagery, referencing traditional elements such as lodhra (a tree whose bark powder was historically used for beautification), kunda and kurubak flowers, and chandan (sandalwood), enhancing its evocative quality.
The production was directed by Pradhan Dewri, who also served as lead actor and was responsible for concept and design. Dewri is a graduate of Screenwise, Australia’s leading film school for actors, and Seagull (a project under the National School of Drama, Delhi). With over fifteen years of experience in professional theatre and film in Northeast India, he has received multiple awards for Best Actor and Best Action Director. He is currently active in the Australian film and theatre industry.
Abhinanda Roy Dewri performed as the lead actress and was responsible for costume design and choreography.
The dancers included Puja Maurya, Sarita Bera, Prity Mondal, Aarna Gautam, Adrija Roy, Shara Mondal, and Nandini Maurya. Supporting actors were Tapan Bose, Nayan Burman, Pallabi Pathak, and Indrani Chall.
Technical production was managed by Tushar Bose (lighting), Pranab Saikia (video projection), and Mrinal Saikia (sound).
The second half of the show was a melodious journey. It began with Rabindra Sangeet performed by Debanjana Roy, setting a graceful tone. The momentum of the vibrant night was then carried forward by Pragati Saikia, Gitanjali Saikia, and Abhishek Verma, who performed a series of lovely Bollywood songs.
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