From his haiku in memory of Dadar Beach to the "Manhattan-like unreality" of Nariman Point, each time Dilip Purushottam Chitre put pen to paper, Bombay — and by extension, the human condition — shed another of its inexplicable layers to reveal itself in a new light. The eminent poet and critic, who wrote in Marathi and English, passed away 10 years ago, but continues to be discovered and rediscovered each time a reader stumbles upon his works.  This was also the case with Nashik-based playwright and director Prajakt Deshmukh.

"It was about five years ago that I came across Di Pu Chitre's verses. And such was the imagery he evoked with his words that I was left wondering if it was a painting, or a deft director's screenplay," he recalls, referring to the poet in the way the Marathi language addresses a personality by their initials. The chance encounter then developed into a vocal exercise routine for him and his theatre group, where they would recite Chitre's poetry to loosen up before going on stage.