Fascinated by the lives of the tawaifs, Patel designed the 120-minute long show during the COVID-19 lockdown. “The show was only an idea, when Mumbai-based Harkat Studios announced a grant for artistes. I pitched O Gaanewali. The first three shows were performed virtually due to COVID-19. The first offline mehfil was held last year at NCPA,” she says.

O Gaanewali will be performed thrice this month at various locations, celebrating Women’s Day and Holi through its renditions. A special Hori thumri—a semi-classical act, has been added in. Patel insists that the musical show will not be a linear act where the artistes perform in isolation on stage and the audience only absorbs it while listening to the songs.  “It [the show] follows the baithak style and stays true to it all through,” she explains, adding that, “we talk to the audience, interact with them and tell stories.” The act also ensures that right from the stage decor to the costumes, everything is period-appropriate.

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The ensemble will be led by Patel along with Rutuja Lad, a classical vocalist. Accompanying them on the tabla will be Akshay Jadhav, Apoorva Petkar on the harmonium and Vanraj Shastri on the Sarangi. It is directed by Mallika Singh and Meghana AT.

When:  March 5, 7 PM at Art and Charlie, 71A Pali Village, Bandra West 
March 8, 8.30 PM at Prabodhankar Thackeray Mini Auditorium, Borivli
March 11, 8.30 PM at Dr Kashinath Ghanekar Mini Auditorium, Thane
To book: artandcharlie.com, and ticketkhidakee.com