Savitri Medhatul was in her early teens when she watched her first lavani performance, in a folk play — Vichha majhi puri kara (Fulfill my desire) — at a Thane auditorium. “Although I was learning classical dance at that time, this particular performance hit me. Their teasing eyes, the lilting songs and the impishness in their manner was something I had never seen before. It created a lasting impression,” recalls the Mumbai-based filmmaker.

Shakuntala Nagarkar, doyenne of lavani, will perform at Mumbai Local on Sept 10