Celebrating South Asian stories and cultural diversity through dynamic performances, bridging diaspora communities and fostering creativity in Parramatta

Annual Theatre Festival (Mela), Nautanki Theatre’s flagship event, returns for another year of celebrating South Asian performing arts, diaspora community, and cross-cultural exchange. Conceived in 2016 and developed in partnership with Riverside Theatre, Parramatta, Theatre Mela brings together grassroots South Asian theatre groups to create a vibrant platform for diverse voices and cultural storytelling. This unique festival serves as a melting pot of creativity, where emerging and established artists collaborate and present their work to new and diverse audiences in New South Wales.

The 2024 edition promises to build on past successes with a dynamic line-up of performances ranging from theatre to spoken word and music. It aims to foster further cultural dialogues that connect South Asian narratives with the broader Australian context, encouraging deeper engagement and understanding between communities.

Through Theatre Mela, Nautanki Theatre continues its mission to nurture artistic talent, provide opportunities for emerging creatives, and build stronger cultural ties within Western Sydney. Audiences can expect an enriching experience highlighting the power of storytelling, bringing to light both traditional and contemporary issues faced by South Asian diasporic communities.

Join us for this celebration of cultural diversity, creativity, and community spirit at 9th Theatre Mela in 2024!

ABOUT THE PLAYS

Pomegranate Prince

In this captivating play by Tasnim Hossain, the enchanting Bengali fairytale of Prince Dalim Kumar is told by a grandmother to her young grandson living in Australia. As the story unfolds on stage, it mirrors the boy’s own life — a childhood filled with parental expectations and intergenerational conflicts, The characters from the fairytale begin to reflect the very people in his life, blending fantasy and reality as the boy matures into a young man battling with thoughts and mental health. In a world where tradition and modernity collide, the timeless story of Dalim Kumar offers glimpses of hope, while echoing the struggles of a boy lost between two worlds.

The Creative Team

Director Shatadip Som
Along with Rupa Roy, Balarka Banerjee, Aparupa Samanta, Sajid Ibne Anowar, Rwik Chatterjee, Joyeeta Ghosh & Master Neelaksh Mitra

On Beauty

“On Beauty”, the poem by world-renowned Khalil Gibran is presented through visual theatre. This is an experimental poetry, puppetry and movement visual theatre piece.  Throughout the show, the source of all life sends forth spirits from the Divine realm to the physical world.  While the poem’s quest to define beauty provides the narrative and thematic structure, the magic of puppetry as a ‘life’ giving artform is explored through spirit-seeking different forms.

The Creative Team

Devised by Shabnam Tavakol as part of her artistic development in visual theatre making and directing.
Performed by Shabnam Tavakol & Sophie Brown.
Support and consultancy by Maddy Slabacu.
Music by Bob Short

InSecurity

“InSecurity” by Pavithra Srinivasan delves into the struggles of a young woman confronting her insecurities about her body. Engaged to a loving man, she wrestles with doubt about whether her appearance could undermine their future together. A pivotal evening brings her fears to the surface, forcing her to make a life-altering choice. In a moment of crisis, she must decide whether to risk losing the love she holds dear—or to face her own self-judgment head-on.

The Creative Team

Directed by Pavithra Srinivasan
Along with Jerome Milton, Ponarasu and Pavithra Srinivasan

*** “InSecurity” is a bilingual play in development. Nautanki Theatre is facilitating the first audience reaction to the text through the voice of the actors on stage which requires a South Asian audience. Some contents of this play may be in Tamil.

Accessibility

In English

Wheelchair accessible

Companion Card accepted

Assistive Hearing system available (FM)

Find out more about accessibility at Riverside Theatres

Additional Ticketing Information

$6.95 Transaction Fee applies.

The authorised ticket agency for this event is Riverside Theatres.

Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered reliable. If you purchase tickets from a non-authorised agency, you risk that these tickets are fake, void, or have previously been cancelled. Resale restriction applies.

Prices are correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection. Children aged 0-18 months at the time of a performance may be seated on an adult’s lap free of charge. A valid ticket is required for all children over 18 months.

For more details, please refer to our Terms and Conditions

Funding for this project has been provided by the NSW Government.

The NSW Government Logo with Waratah Flower