The ‘Nirantara Rang Utsava’ a National Theatre festival, which has become a cultural event that goes beyond just theatre began yesterday in Mysuru. It was inaugurated by Prasanna, Mysuru City Commissioner MA Saleem, Marathi Theatre personality Amol Pathe and Co-founder of Nirantara, Prasad Kundar.
The inauguration was done in the Kerala-Karnataka tradition where the Veera Ghase and Kerala traditional artistes garnered the attention of people, which in itself, foretold the success of event in the initial stage itself.
The Kalamandira was all decked up for the ‘Niranthara Ranga Utsav’, and is a riot of colors, with the red and white rangoli on the asphalted road speaking volumes for the wonderful contrasts of worlds this ‘Ranga Utsava’ has to offer. Highly attractive ‘Gombeaata’ characters, strung up high in the air welcome the stream of theatre enthusiasts.
The next five days will be about theatre, art, folk dance and music, along with a bit of food, books and lots of color.
“Theatre artistes are equal to Janapeetha Award winners”
“Theatre artistes are equal to Janapeetha Award winners. Theatre has more reach and power than books. We can perform plays in the streets and in the Kalamandira, we have the power to reach all kinds of people” renowned theatre director Prasanna said at the inauguration of the ‘Nirantara Ranga Utasava’.
Prasanna, a theatre activist, mourned the rise of other forms of entertainment. “Entertainment has become about making money and this is alarming. We allowed these forms of entertainment to take control by keeping the works of Kuvempu, Karanth and Bendre in our pockets and not spreading their message. We shut our eyes to the influence of these forms in our arrogance but now theatre has woken up.”
“Nirantara has been instrumental in adding the energy of young minds to an aging theatre scene. Language has diluted today, with Indian languages being inter woven with English. We should not shut out theatre groups who perform plays in this diluted form, but bring them into our fold and let them see the beauty of this form”, he stressed.
“We need to consider what the audience gives us and what we are giving to the audience and never forget why, as human beings drama and theatre is important to us” he added.
He added, “Theatre artistes are superior to any poet, as they can take theatre onto the roads and perform at any place else, so as to reach out to the people, whereas poets speak only in their literary work which less and limited reach”.
He ended his very passionate speech by asking theatre artists to ask themselves if they are thinking about their existence.
Dr. MA Saleem also spoke at the event, stressing on the importance of the theatre and the bad influence that moneyed forms of entertainment have on young minds.
Amol Pathe, a Marathi director who doesn’t know a word of Kannada praised the Kannada audiences to the skies. He emphasized on how artists should have an ideology. “Art is not just for the sake of art anymore. Politics and societal pressure clearly affects theatre movements”, he said
Co-founder of Nirantara, Prasad explained the rai·son d’é·tat of the event, “A cultural event like this, focuses on the dynamics of art and theatre. And this is the first time we’re taking this to a national level, so it’s more of a celebration of the Ranga Bhoomi than anything else.”
“Theatre movements happen across the country. We wanted to bring together the dynamics of various movements to the Mysuru stage. The 200 students who are a part of Nirantara have worked hard to bring this movement to life. 25 years in theatre has culminated in this national theatre fest.”
Yuva Congress President Dhuvaraju and Ayama Academy of Fine Arts member Swamy were felicitated at the event.
Nirantara’s magazine ‘Mathukate’ was also released by the dignitaries on stage.
The inauguration was followed by the play Shivarathri, directed by Chidambararao Jambe and performed by Nirantara Foundation.
“Art is not disconnected from the happenings of our world”
Director Chidambararao Jambe inaugurated the Art Exhibition by painting on one of the volunteer’s faces. “It’s a A more authentic way of kicking off a theatre fest and art exhibition”, an organizer said.
Speaking after the symbolic inauguration, the experienced director said, “Nirantara has been true to their name, consistent in the way they have been giving to the world of theatre and art. Theatre is a massive art form and it should be seamlessly combined with other art forms to bring about certain awareness in society. And one needs patience to be involved in any art form.”
He also spoke of the fear of terrorism that we survive in today especially as art is never disconnected from the happenings of the current world,. “We can’t go to any Utsava without being afraid; it is the reality of our times.”
Celebrating the art of theatre personalities..
The painting exhibition showcases the paintings of 10 artists, who have all been involved in theatre at some point. Artists like Ekbal Ahmed, Sudesh Mohan, Shashidhar Addappa, Channakeshava, DS Chougale, Krishna Rayachuru, Badal Nanjundaswamy, Dwaraki Rangayana, Solabakkanaar, PS Kumar and Mohan Sona are represented at the art exhibition.
The paintings are all expressions of modern art, each telling a story of their own. The knowledge that the artists are theatre artists adds more perspective to the paintings, adding to the message that Nirantara wants to showcase with this fest.
