
MELBOURNE, 23 July, 2024: India’s literary giant Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, who first published his work ‘Mandir’ in 1903, is today known across the Indian subcontinent and the world as a Bengali writer, immortalised by his more than 100 years old ‘Devdas’, published first on 30 June 1917. Sarat Chandra wrote numerous novels, stories and article’s and “nearly 90 screen adaptations have been made in the Indian subcontinent based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s works,” reveals the Wikipedia.

From 1928 to 2019, only Devdas was adapted into more than 25 movies in Bengali, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Urdu, Assamese, Malayalam… It remains the most filmed non-epic story in the Subcontinent, with K. L. Seghal, Dilip Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan, to name a few. One does not know how many times it has been staged in theatre’s across the world. This literary timeless tale Devdas came to life once again , courtesy Khelaiya Productions, directed by Harsiddhi Mody. Two shows were staged on 20 & 21 July, 2024, at the Drum Theatre, Dandenong.
Harsiddhi’s ‘Devdas’ script follows the narration well known and step by step episodes of a wealthy Zamidar’s (landlord) son, Devdas intensely in love with Paro, a neighbours daughter, are separated after he goes to Calcutta for education. On his return, the childhood sweethearts want to get married but instead Paro is married to a rich widower and Devdas returns to Calcutta where he becomes an alcoholic and gets involved with a courtesan Chandramukhi, who falls in love with him. With a serious ailment he goes on a last mission to see Paro and dies at her doorstep. Paro comes to know the tragedy the next morning and collapses.

The rich cultural bonanza in this Hindi musical was mesmerising and arete. Obviously, the glitter of big screen cinema with special effects is not expected in theatre, but here we had songs, dances (Kathak), folk & semi-classical music, and enchanting dresses.
Devdas (Rishi Kanojia), Paro (Tanmai Khairnar) and Chandramukhi (Sanjana Athvale) excelled with their acting talents as the lead pair. Manmohini’s and Deepti Shukla’s choreography of the Kathak and folk dances dances lit the stage with multicultural ethos. The synchronisation between those dancing and the music was perfect. The lyrics by prominent writers was able choice. The beautiful, colourful and glittering dresses were a treat. No doubt. a fusion of dance, music, drama, and story telling, laced with vibrant cultural traditions.
Harisiddhi wanted to be truthful to the book of Sarat Babu, folk & art expression of Bengal but also made it relevant to the current generation too & that’s what was reflected in the musical.
The cast of 27 needs to be commended. Every role was important and we had their talent on display. The director’s excellence was able to weave them into this excellent musical presentation.
CREDITS
CAST
Devdas Mukherjee – Rishi Kanojia
Parvati Chakraborty – Tanmai Khairnar
Chandramukhi – Sanjana Athvale
Chunnibabu – Raj Mukherjee
Shumonti Mukherjee – Rachna Gupta
Dwijdas Mukherjee- Amey Sane
Narayan Mukherjee – Deepak Joshi
Shrimati Dwijdas Mukherjee – Sheetal Patil
Nilkanth Chakrobarty – Sachin Khare
Sudeshna Chakraborty – Vasundhara Srivastva
Manorama – Sayeri Biswas
Rahila Begum – Rahila Sarma
Bhuban Babu – Jigar Parikh
Yashoda/Ensemble – Kritina Gupta
Ishita/Ensemble – Shanti Calpakam
Supriya/Ensemble – Supriya Rana
Kadambari/Ensemble – Sheetal Ghogale
Soumya/Ensemble – Soumya Korade
Suchitra/Ensemble – Ekta Nathwani
Soumitro/Ensemble – Ali Reshamvala
Himanshu/Ensemble – Himanshu Sharma
Kathak dancer – Kasturi Jadhav
Kathak dancer – Ankitha Ramesh
Kathak dancer – Aarya Daware
Kathak dancer – Natasha Muley
Husna Madam – Mittel Chandaria
Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay – Hem Tiwary
Musicians: Tabla -Amit Agarkar, Keyboard – Amit Rathi, Octpad – Suyog Mahajan, Harmonium & Singer – Suneel Chalisgaokar & Singer- Atul Fotedar.
Dance Choreography: ManMohini Indian Dance (Kathak dances) – Mohini Bordawekar & Abhivyakati Academy of Fine Arts (Folk dances) – Deepti Shukla
Theatrical Crew: Script Writing: Harsiddhi Mody, Background Music Coordinator: Shweta Bedekar, Lights: Rabab Reshamvala, Production Support: Rachna Gupta, Backstage Support: Sheetal Are, Mittel Chandaria, Shanti Calpakam, Videographer : Sandeep Chaudhary, Opening announcement: Punita Ganwani, Devdas Poster : Sudeshna Roy, Songs & Background music selection & Director: Harsiddhi Mody.