Flamboyant Bhojpuri drama debuts in Sydney

The group led by well-known Bhojpuri film and drama personality Dineshlal Yadav Nirhua performed for the first time down under.

The unique flamboyance of Bhojpuri drama has made its debut on the Sydney stage in Australia with a 20-member troupe from the city performing there.

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The group led by well-known Bhojpuri film and drama personality Dineshlal Yadav Nirhua performed for the first time on Monday to a sold-out show.

The group is on a 20-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and other nations to promote the language and the Bhojpuri ethos.

"The three-hour shows are purely commercial ventures meant only for entertainment and the promotion of Bhojpuri language," the group's spokesman in Mumbai Ashok Bhatia said.

"The shows are ticketed," he said adding "we seem to have got all sold out for the entire tour."

"This is the first time we have taken to the stage in this manner. Earlier mainly movies were sent out... This time we are concentrating on live performances."

The performances include dance and music and colourfully represent Bhojpuri culture, he said.

In all 11 shows have been planned in five countries by the artists who have already 500 shows to their credit in India.

"It is a matter of great pride that following our success in India we are able to take the process forward internationally," Nirhua said before leaving for Sydney.

"We are trying to cater to the needs of a large number of Bhojpuri speaking population living in those countries.

"Of course, we hope to spread our culture to everyone."

Nirhua and his troupe will also perform song and dance sequences from his movies on stage. He is accompanied by his brother Ram Parvesh.

Another known voice Vinu Kaur is also accompanying the group.

"I did not even have a passport till now," Nirhua said adding "I made it just for this tour... It is feeling of great joy and pride for me to represent my country and culture abroad."