Any millennial or Gen X Mumbaikar would be familiar with the ritual of watching a play on the Diwali weekend. The ritual may have faded out in the post-pandemic world, and the rise of virtual reality, but in many Maharashtrian households, theatre remains a part of the Diwali tradition. “It [theatre] is an integral part of the cultural tradition of the state. The stage draws the Marathi audience to it,” says director Rajesh Deshpande. This year, Deshpande is bringing back to the Mumbai stage Vasant Kanetkar’s iconic play, Himalayachi Savali, in a festival run.

The play is the second run for the director, who first revived it in 2019. “Before that, the play had its last run in 1972. Dr Shriram Lagoo played the lead role of Nanasaheb, and it also marked the first stage performance for Ashok Saraf,” he recalls. It was not till 2019 that Deshpande was approached for a revival. “I had not watched the play, but I had read it. And it is a treat to read,” he admits. The restart with actors Sharad Ponkshe and Shruja Prabhudesai in the lead ran for a 45-show run, before the pandemic hit.