I want to revive Marathi sangeet natak: Rahul Deshpande

He recently staged the noted Marathi musical drama Katyar Kaalzat Ghusli in Nagpur and noted classical singer Rahul Deshpande is of the opinion that this art form needs to be introduced to more and more people.
“See when my grandfather Vasantrao Deshpande staged it, the times were different. Today, if one had to enjoy a sangeet natak, you have to make it strong on production values not just content.The artistes who did this before were great masters and my full respect to them for doing such a wonderful job. But, realistically how can a 50+ person play a youngster and why will the audience accept such casting today? So I have decided to revamp this classical art form!”
Saying that his Nagpur experience was proof that classical art forms do have an audience, he says, “Not just Pune and Mumbai, even in Nagpur so many youngsters came to me after the drama and wanted to know about the finer nuances of this art form. That was so encouraging. My grand dad got an identity in the masses because of this sangeet natak and so promoting this is not a commercial venture, but a social responsibility which I feel I must undertake. And I will do it in a manner that that’s appealing since music has evolved, acting has evolved. In the times to come I want this art form be self-sustaining!”