‘Fiddler’ Without Borders
In this week’s Forward, Ben Frumin reported from New Delhi on a new production of the classic musical “Fiddler on the Roof” — in Hindi.
Most of the cast members had never met a Jew before. Some turned to the Internet to learn about Jewish history, the importance of the Sabbath, kosher meat and the meaning of “L’chaim.” And translating the lyrics was a real challenge, because of differences between Hindi and English.
Still, a “Fiddler” production in an exotic tongue isn’t as novel as one might think. As “Fiddler” expert Alisa Solomon told Frumin, the play has been produced in dozens of languages all over the world.
We found video footage from a number of foreign-language productions of the famed musical. Here are a few of them:
India
This one, of course, is the Hindi version of “Tradition.” For more classic “Fiddler” songs in Hindi from the New Delhi production, click here.
Japan
Netherlands
Germany
France
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning journalism this Passover.
In this age of misinformation, our work is needed like never before. We report on the news that matters most to American Jews, driven by truth, not ideology.
At a time when newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall. That means for the first time in our 126-year history, Forward journalism is free to everyone, everywhere. With an ongoing war, rising antisemitism, and a flood of disinformation that may affect the upcoming election, we believe that free and open access to Jewish journalism is imperative.
Readers like you make it all possible. Right now, we’re in the middle of our Passover Pledge Drive and we still need 300 people to step up and make a gift to sustain our trustworthy, independent journalism.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
Only 300 more gifts needed by April 30