Indian Herald

16/12/2025

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24/11/2025

11/11/2025

The movie revolves around DSP Ridwaan Sayyed (Manav Kaul), who is tasked with investigating a series of mysterious child disappearances in Baramulla, Kashmir.

24/10/2025

04/05/2025

International Gita Mahotsav 2025 - Soulful Evening by the River.

IGM 2025 was a spectacular event, celebrating the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita - right here on the banks of the Parramatta River!

The Gita Aarti like the Ganga Aarti of Varanasi - was one of its kind in Sydney, followed by fireworks that light up the night sky.

The event had vibrant cultural performances and stunning floats from major temples in Sydney.

Kudos to all the organisers of IGM 2025 and all the selfless volunteers for this hugely successful event.

International Gita Mahotsav

01/05/2025

By Jazbaat Safar

HAI MERA DIL: A Theatrical Delight in Sydney..

Hai Mera Dil’, staged on April 5, 2025 at Pioneer Theatre, Castle Hill, was a rare treat. As the longest-running play in Hindi theatre history, it delivered a night full of laughter, energy, and unforgettable memories.

The show commenced right on time, Taufeeq Ahmed Sheikh, a well-regarded community member, formally welcomed the audience and had the privilege of introducing the distinguished Emcee for the evening, Ms. Kumud Merani, veteran broadcaster and cultural icon.

“Hai Mera Dil’, written by Ranbir Sinh and directed by the late Dinesh Thakur, is adapted from the film ‘Send Me No Flowers’. Preeta Mathur Thakur, his wife, has played the lead in over 1,178 shows since the play’s debut in the late 1970s, with more than 180 actors rotating roles over the years. Its enduring charm lies in the crispness and timing of its dialogues-language playing a key role in its success.

The play follows a loving couple whose life is thrown into chaos by the husband’s hypochondria. Mistakenly believing he’s dying, he sets out to find a new husband for his wife, leading to a heartwarming and hilarious chain of events. Centered on a stable marriage, the story cleverly explores love, sacrifice, and the comedy of well-meaning missteps.

Aman Gupta was superb as the hypochondriac Madan with Preeta Mathur Thakur equally delightful as Usha. Atul Mathur impressed as Arvind, especially in his hilarious drunken act. Sumit Bharadwaj stole the show as the charming Mohan, while Shanker Iyer flawlessly handled a dual role. Local talents Kabil Dhillon and Brinda Amin also gave commendable performances.

Manju Mittal, along with SAI Creative Arts Network and SCREAN Australia Productions, delivered yet another theatrical success with Hai Mera Dil. Following the acclaim of last year’s “Yagnaseni” musical theatre play, this production reaffirms their commitment to bringing quality theatre to Sydney audiences. It’s clear that Sydneysiders are eager to support meaningful and well-executed cultural ventures.

Kudos to Ank Theatre and the brilliant cast!! Humble and appreciative, they were thrilled by the warm response and love from the Sydney audience.

Whole event was conducted gracefully by emcee Kumud Merani, I was impressed by Kumud’s poetic creative interludes, a compere of uncanny ability in keeping the audience engaged.

Lighting and sound cue were expertly timed by Tushar Bose and Sagar Agashe, while Abdul Sajwani and Sadiq Rehmani delivered crystal-clear sound and melodious vocal, adding the perfect dimension to the drama.

Highlight of the event was food stall by Jaggi’s Indian Restaurant, It served delicious samosa, Masala chai and Biryani at reasonable price adding a delicious touch to the evening’s entertainment.
“Hai Mera Dil” resonates with audiences through its relatability, which perhaps explains its enduring popularity. It stands out as one of the finest Hindi comedy plays ever staged in Sydney.

Picture courtesy BalzClick, Harmohan Walia, Euphony Films and Picture Perfect Photography.

22/04/2024

KATHAK MAHOTSAV - Pandit Rajendra Gangani performs live in Sydney

The leading exponent of Kathak, Pandit Rajendra Gangani, performed live at ParadeTheatre, NIDA, on Saturday 6 April, as part of Kathak Mahotsav, staged by Sydney-basedSwastik Institute of Dance.

“It is one of the most incredible shows I have ever seen in my life,” said spiritual leader BaiSheetal Shaant Anant, one of the guests of honour, after Pandit Rajendra Gangani’s performance. “I have lived in India most of my life and even there I have never seen a Kathak show like this,” she added.

The show kicked off with a 20-minute segment where Sydney-based students of SwastikInstitute of Dance performed on stage. This was followed by a live performance by PanditRajendra Gangani’s son and accomplished Kathak performer, Sanjeet Gangani.But it was in the second half of the show, when Pandit Rajendra Gangani – recipient of thethe Sangeet Natak Akademi Award – took to the stage and left the audience enthralled withmathematically precise footwork, mesmerising twirls and vivid facial expressions.

“Watching Guruji on stage is always a hair-raising experience, and tonight was noexception,” said Ms Sumati Nagpal, artistic director of Swastik Institute of Dance. The artists performed to live music, thanks to some of the musicians who had flown in fromIndia specifically for this show.

Playing the table was Mr Fateh Singh Gangani; playing theharmonium was Mr Vinod Gangani, who was also the vocalist of the show; while playing thesitar was Sydney-based Mr Rashpal Singh.Sanjeet Gangani Ji started his performance with Dhamaar – a 14-beat taal. With segments such as Uthaan, Paran, Tihai and Ganesh Paran, he left the audience impressed, finishing up with Ram Bhajan, depicting timeless stories from Indian mythology.

Pandit Rajendra Gangani, on the other hand, started his performance with Devi Stuti,followed by todas of Teel Taal – a 16-beat taal – such as Thaat, Uthaan and Paran Aamad.But it was his performance of Mayur Ki G*t that brought the house down. Mimicking the grace and movements of a peacock through sharp body movements, complemented by vivid facial expressions, Pandit Ji delivered one of the best Kathak performances Sydney hasever seen, leading to a standing ovation from the audience.

His Jugalbandi with the tabla player Mr Fateh Singh Gangani was also a highlight of theshow. Mr Fateh Singh Gangani is one of India’s most talented and well-known table players– and he matched the sound of Guru Ji’s ghunghroos to the sound of his tabla - beat for beat, leaving the audience in awe.

This is not the first time Pandit Rajendra Gangani has performed live in Sydney. His performance at the Riverside Theatre in Sydney’s Parramatta also left people speechless in2017.“

Performing in Australia is always a pleasure,” he said after the show. “A lot of people ofIndian diaspora live in this country. Often they visit India and, thereby, ‘visit’ the arts andculture of their country. Organising a show like this in Australia is like bringing the arts and culture of India right at your doorstep.

”The auditorium was packed with audience, including guests of honour such as spiritualleaders from Shri Paramhans Advait Mat: Bai Sheetal Shaant Anant, Bai Sheetal Sagar Anant and Mahatma Shaant Satyanand Ji. Mr Niravkumar B Sutariya and Mr Bal Krishan Anand from the Consulate General of India were also present on the occasion, along with Ms Niyati Mehta, Director of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, and Strathfield Councillor Raj Datta.

The show concluded with Ms Nagpal inviting the special guests on stage – giving them anopportunity to present a token of gratitude to the visiting artists from India in front of theaudience.

About Swastik Institute of Dance:
Swastik Institute of Dance is a Sydney-based performing arts school, specialising invarious Indian dance forms, including Kathak, Bollywood, Bhangra, and Giddha

22/04/2024