MELBOURNE, 2 NOVEMBER, 2025: The Capitol Theatre, RMIT, will see ‘Rahwana’, an important character in the epic Ramayana, known as ‘Rawan’ in India and South Asia, coming alive on the stage, spotlighting the many aspects of the character. This was disclosed at a press conference today.
Presented by the Indonesian Society of Victoria (Perwira Inc.), Rahwana is the latest annual cultural theatre production showcasing Southeast Asian heritage, storytelling, and artistic collaboration. Since 2023, Perwira Inc. has produced a major cultural stage production each year, each carrying a unique theme that highlights rich cultural narratives. This year, the spotlight shines on the epic story of Rahwana. Last year Perwira staged the successful ‘Princess of Champa’.
Perwira has received consistent and invaluable support from Dr. Bruce Wong, CEO of Foot Solutions, who has served as an Event Partner for the last three years. Dr. Wong is widely recognised as a strong advocate for multicultural arts and cultural heritage initiatives.
Rahwana is not just a performance — it is a cultural journey, a celebration of community, and a bridge connecting diverse traditions,” said Dr. Wong. “We are proud to support Perwira and the multicultural talents behind this visionary production.”
Rahwana reimagines the Ramayana through the eyes of its most misunderstood figure — Rahwana, the king of Lanka. Rather than portraying him in a traditional villain role, this production explores the layers of emotion, loyalty, and destiny that shaped his journey — offering audiences a powerful and human interpretation of the legend, says a Perwira media release.
Featuring talent from Indonesia, Australia, India, Turkey, Persia, Japan, Vietnam, Nepal, and Africa, Rahwana brings global artistry to the Australian stage — showcasing the power of collaboration across cultures, traditions, and languages.
And joining the vibrant cast of Perwira Productions’ upcoming multicultural theatre ‘Rahwana’ is Ruchi Sharma — known for her voice on Hello Zindagi. Through her words and performance, Ruchi brings to life the spirit of cross-cultural understanding.
Ruchi says : “Rahwana reminds us that every story — even one of conflict — carries the seeds of reflection, empathy and unity. Through this production, we celebrate the diversity that connects us beyond borders.”
The media release adds: “Rahwana blends dramatic theatre and cinematic immersion through live acting & original vocals, traditional kecak and regional Asian dances, CGI mythical worlds — Lanka, Dandaka Forest, Ashoka Garden, handcrafted cultural costumes, cinematic sequences complementing live performance and English-language dialogue for universal accessibility
“Through breathtaking visuals, powerful choreography, and emotional storytelling, Rahwana invites audiences to rediscover a legendary epic — not as a battle of heroes and villains, but as a deeply human story of love, sacrifice, and fate.”
Name– Rahwana
Location – Capitol Theatre, RMIT, 113 Swanston St
Melbourne 3000
Date – 8 November, 2025, Two shows : 2-4 pm & 7 to 9 pm.
Contact – 0421 101 699; Email – perwiraincmelb@gmail.com
Tickets: https://bit.ly/rahwana2025
