Standing outside the legendary Aryabhushan Theatre in Pune, traditional lavani artiste Payal Shaikh speaks of returning to the dance after a three-year sabbatical. "You can't stay away from it for too long. Although, those were different times, I must admit. People came from far off places, just to appreciate the art and the artiste." Pointing to the theatre where she performs, she says, it is a 100 years old, sharing a street with the famous Dagdusheth Halwai Ganesha temple and the dargahs of Sufi saints. "It's not uncommon to see a Hindu keep roza or a Muslim enter a temple to seek blessings. For them, art is the only religion," says Bhushan Korgaonkar, author of the book Sangeet Bari and co-founder of performance company Kali Billi productions, which brings lavani performances to urban metros.

Seniors gather at Vele