He is Gāṅgo the playactor (nata). The stories connected with him, his son Jaya, also a playactor ("Jayanata), and the latter's wife Vidyutprabhā are probably baseless pleasantry.

[…] the rattan is still a valued instrument of discipline […]

Mary and John, are you listening?

A tall, thin man with silver hair and black-rimmed glasses stepped into the lobby. His quilted smoking jacket made him look a little like Hugh Hefner's less decrepit brother.