Bahuroopi off to a colourful start in city

MYSURU: It is that time of the year when theatre buffs head to Rangayana, which on Saturday opened its annual winter theatre festival.
On Day 1 of the festival, people milled Kalamandir complex where Rangayana is hosting the national fest, which is expected to double on Sunday. Given that Tuesday is holiday on account of Makara Sankranthi, the fest will get crowd it always attracts.

Depicting the theme of Gender Equality through ‘Ardhanareeshwara’ concept, artistes of Rangayana performed a dance drama speaking about the evolution of humans and how they are categorised into men and women through their appearance. The dance drama performed at the inauguration of the 18th edition of Bahuroopi stated that there may be men and women, but the soul is one and gender neutral.

Prasanna, former director of Rangayana, under whose directions, the first winter fest started, inaugurated the fest and said the society is facing threat and theatre should act as medium to find solutions to the emerging issues. The present theatre is finding more obstacles than those faced by Sri Ranga, Kuvempu and B V Karanth. Amidst these threats, new ideas should emerge, he added.

Speaking on how a theatre should work, Prasanna advised the repertories to deliver simple plays. Through simple plays, complex issues in the society can be addressed. Also, theatre should stage plays without fear and hesitation, he said.

Keerti Jain, former director of National School of Drama, said every language should have at least one repertory to promote it. The government of Karnataka is a doing a great job by organizing such theatre festivals, she opined.

Director of Rangayana, Bhagirathi Bai Kadam recalled the acting lessons she received from Prasanna.

Transgender members of Ashodaya Organization sung theatre songs, defining the theme of Bahuroopi. Mayor Pushpalatha Jagannatha and MCC commissioner K H Jagadeesh were present.