Depot48 Hosts Chandni Raatein, A Musical Reimagining Of Dostoevsky’s White Nights

Literature, music and intimate storytelling came together at Depot48 as Chandni Raatein, a musical reinterpretation of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s White Nights, was presented to Delhi audiences as an immersive live performance. Designed as a listening-led experience, the production combined original music with abridged theatrical narration, offering a restrained yet emotionally evocative retelling of the 19th-century novella.

Moving away from conventional stage adaptation, Chandni Raatein unfolded through a fluid interplay of voice, sound and silence. Mantra Mugdh performed original compositions written for the production, while actor and dastango Danish Husain anchored the narrative with a measured, immersive narration. Kaizad Gherda, on piano and composition, along with his band, shaped the live soundscape, seamlessly weaving music and storytelling into a continuous sonic journey.

Speaking about the performance, the creators described Chandni Raatein as a convergence of live music, theatre and storytelling, where original songs, narration and a soulful musical score come together to reimagine White Nights for a contemporary audience.

The performance invited audiences to reflect on themes of longing, memory and fleeting connection, echoing the quiet emotional intensity of Dostoevsky’s work. Its minimalistic format and live musical structure created an atmosphere that many attendees described as intimate, cinematic and deeply personal.

For Depot48, the production aligned closely with the venue’s artistic ethos. Co-founder Vikas Narula said the performance reflected the space’s commitment to emotional honesty and artistic intent, while co-founder Girjashanker highlighted its focus on listening,where silence, narration and music coexist as part of a single, immersive experience.

As Delhi’s cultural landscape continues to embrace experimental and interdisciplinary formats, Chandni Raatein stood out as a thoughtful offering that bridged literature and live performance with sensitivity, restraint and moonlit introspection.