Prithvi, the city’s theatrical nerve centre, is once again decked up in anticipation of its annual theatre festival — this year is its 31st edition.

Starting November 7, three veteran theatre troupes from across India will infuse Prithvi Theatre’s stage with diverse styles, folk flavours and languages.

“Our attempt is to showcase plurality in theatre. Each of the chosen troupes has a diverse way of rehearsing, performing and they have different and very compelling stories to tell,” said Prithvi’s face and anchor, Sanjana Kapoor of the festivals theme, Theatres of India.

The festival will host the best works of Adishakti (Pondicherry), Ninasam (Karnataka) and the Nirman Kala Manch (Patna), theatrical stalwarts that have only reputation and decades of experience in common.

These troupes will also bring to Mumbai stage a mix of Bhojpuri, Kannada, Malayalam and Japanese.

Phase two of the two-week-long festival will see younger talent that shares a penchant for experimenting with form and new dramatic languages.

There is anticipation surrounding Amitesh Grover’s The Hamlet Quartet, Ranan’s Equus, Theatre Roots and Wings’ The Elephant Project and Sridhar/Thayil’s opera noir.

Prithvi will also pay tribute to playwright Habib Tanvir, who passed away earlier this year.

The festival will be inaugurated with Tanvir’s theatre company, Naya Theatre’s seminal production Charandas Chor, folk tales retold in a play and banned by the Chattisgarh government in August.

An exhibition, On the Road with Naya Theatre will also provide a retelling of the creative processes and genius of Tanvir.