Back in 1965, National School of Drama graduate Ramesh Janjani established Sindhu Art Theatre in Mumbai to provide wholesome entertainment to Sindhi community (migrants from Pakistan’s Sind region). “After independence, Sindhis were struggling to make a mark for themselves in free India. In the absence of a designated state, the community was scattered across major trade centres in India. Theatre brought them together,” informs city-based theatre and television actor-director Niranjan Asrani, who re-established the company as Nu Sindhu Art Academy in 2003, post the demise of Janjani. In order to give impetus to Sindhi theatre, Asrani hosts a bi-annual Sindhi Drama Festival in Mumbai and this weekend, marks its 23rd edition.

Niroo Asrani (in black tee) with the cast of Shah ain Maat