Nepal, Sept. 13 -- I was struck by an invitation from Ashesh Malla, the director, creator and pioneer of the Sarwanam theatre group, to see the play-Bir Ganeshman- on August 30, 2026, at Sarwanam Theatre in Kathmandu. The play, which he wrote and directed, is about the widely respected politician and freedom fighter Ganesh Man Singh (1925-97). I woke from the shock and confusion of the Bhotekoshi deluge of August 26, 2026, as it were. Sarwanam, Malla declared, also held donation programmes for the flood victims.

I was drawn to the play for several other reasons as well. First, I have been associated with this theatre since its inception 45 years ago and have written reviews and the history of this group a number of times. The continuum o...