Pune: An original theatre production, Pahinjo Kirdaar, offers a poignant exploration of Sindhi identity built from memory, research, and lived experience. Conceived by Saaz Aggarwal, a biographer and oral historian of Sindhi culture, and developed with director Nikhil Katara, the project is the culmination of 15 years of research into the community’s history.The title, which translates to “Who We Are,” sets the stage for a production that seeks to dismantle the familiar stereotype of the “shrewd entrepreneur”. Instead, it presents seven interlinked stories —six monologues and one dialogue— each rooted in real people and historical events.For Katara, the production grew from a personal journey of discovery. Like many young Sindhis, he found his understanding of his heritage was fragmented. “I had little knowledge about many of these lives. Each story revealed a new dimension of Sindhi history that I had not encountered before,” he said. Through Aggarwal’s research, Katara began to see a more layered history. “We found characters shaped by education, the freedom struggle, and civic life. Seven such stories gradually took form, each a vital thread in a larger historical fabric.”Aggarwal’s vision for the production is to broaden a narrow public perception. “The title is an effort to move beyond the stereotype of the scheming businessperson,” she said. She noted that even positive labels can be limiting. “People speak of hard work or resilience, but the nuances are often overlooked. Theatre allows us to bring those missing layers into view.”The performance also tracks oral histories that rarely enter public discourse, such as interfaith worship practices and the gradual erosion of the Sindhi language. The production places these intimate details alongside the broader narratives of migration and adaptation.According to the creators, audience responses have highlighted a clear generational divide. Katara noted that older viewers often respond with deep recognition and nostalgia. Younger audiences, however, encounter the material as a revelation. “There is distance, but also discovery. Many are engaging with these stories for the first time,” he said.Aggarwal said, “It is important for Sindhis to understand their own identity, but it is equally important for a wider audience to engage with it. This is a shared history—it belongs to all of us.”The production will be staged at the Zapurza Museum of Art and Culture on May 9 and at the Pune International Centre on May 10.
