Theatre personality Bhagirathi Bai Kadam is keyed up to head the State’s premier theatre repertory — Rangayana, which was without a head for over 10 months.
Ms. Kadam, a resident of Guwahati in Assam, who has been appointed director by the Department of Kannada and Culture, is awaiting an official communication from the government.
The appointment order was issued on Wednesday by the office of Minister for Kannada and Culture and Women and Child Development Umashree. The directors for Rangayana branches at Shivamogga and Kalaburagi have also been appointed.
“I have some commitments to finish and will assume charge thereafter,” Ms. Kadam told The Hindu over phone from Guwahati.
Founded Seagull Theatre
The Seagull Theatre was founded by Ms. Kadam and her husband Baharul Islam and the theatre group had completed its silver jubilee.
Ms. Kadam’s theatre group had staged plays thrice at the Bahuroopi National Theatre Festival, the annual theatre festival of Rangayana.
“Rangayana is not new to me as I have come here on many occasions and staged shows. I had staged a play for Rangayana artistes many years ago. Thereafter, my relationship continued with the institution,” she said.
Ms. Kadam’s name was doing rounds along with two other senior theatre personalities for the director’s post, which was vacant for long and the director of Kannada and Culture was holding the additional charge.
“I’m happy that I was considered for the top post of the prestigious institution. I’m eagerly looking forward to be part of the institution. My 26 years of experience in theatre has been measured before finalising my name,” she said.
Ms. Kadam, a native of Hunsur in Mysuru district, had translated many plays into Assamese and Hindi and directed them for Seagull Theatre.
“Seagull Theatre is well-known in Indian theatre circles. There is no State in the country where our group has not staged a play,” said Ms. Kadam, who graduated from Ninasam and trained at the National School of Drama.
She recalled the time when she led a group of theatre artistes from the North Eastern States to Rangayana for a show.
On her plans for Rangayana, she said: “It’s early to comment anything now as I have to take charge, discuss with the people there and then come out with some plans. It’s not prudent to comment at this juncture until I go there and understands what the institution wants.”