Worli-based Katara says these notes uncover surprising personal facets of these public figures. “Nabokov had the strangest nicknames for his wife Véra, all related to animals such as sparrowling or mousey,” he says. “She was depressed, and perhaps this was his way to lift her mood.” The letters between George and Barbara Bush reveal their love story was no less than a rom-com.

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The stories are neither restricted to heterosexual couples, nor do they show a rose-tinted view of love. “It shows all facets, including the baggage,” says Katara, “Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor exchanged letters while they were divorcing each other. Marine biologist Rachel Carson was potentially in a same-sex relationship with author Dorothy Freeman. O’Keeffe and photographer Alfred Stieglitz exchanged over 25,000 letters in 30 years.” 

Reshma Shetty and Amey Mehta (right) will read out letters exchanged between noted personalities like novelist Vladimir Nabokov and his wife Véra, marine biologist Rachel Carson and author Dorothy Freeman, actress Marilyn Monroe and Pulitzer-winning author Arthur Miller

Katara who co-founded Reading in the Shed with Himali Kothari in 2018, says their fondness for the medium took them to Asiatic Library, where they chanced upon the literary treasure. Both still spend a large part of the year researching their protagonists and stitching the narrative together. 

The letters are read and performed by artistes Amey Mehta, Reshma Shetty and Syan Sarkar. “Reshma performs dual characters in a same-sex story,” says Katara. “Amey, who voices the men in heterosexual stories, is also a choreographer and adds elements of movement. Syan brings live soundscaping to these performances.” They intentionally perform these at the Tata Theatre Garden, and not in an auditorium. “Imagery for the personalities is projected on the tall wall in the backdrop.”

Himali Kothari and Nikhil Katara

Truth be told, this writer was disappointed that a single Indian name didn’t make the list lovers. Katara said they had included many in the past editions, including letters between Rabindranath Tagore and Argentinian writer and intellectual Victoria Ocampo. Some of the previous performances are available on their eponymous YouTube channel. Perfect for binge viewing up to Valentine’s Day.

WHAT: Letters of Love
WHEN: February 14, 7 PM
WHERE: Tata Theatre Garden
TO BOOK: ncpamumbai.com