Theatre personality Master Hirannaiah’s acerbic language, which spared no political leader, repeatedly brought him in conflict with the powers that be during his long career.
Former Chief Minister and Congress strongman S. Nijalingappa once tried to ban Lanchavatara, his play with freewheeling commentary on politics in 1960s.
His other play Kapi Mushti was banned during the Emergency.
Mr. Hirannaiah’s fight with Nijalingappa almost went on to be folklore. The incident occurred at a benefit show of Lanchavatara in Mysuru, where silver equal to the weight of Mr. Hirannaiah was donated to war fund during the 1962 India-China war.
Nijalingappa, who was the chief guest, took strong objection to the caustic remarks against the Congress in the play and threatened to stop it.
The fight
Mr. Hirannaiah recorded this incident in the book Ranga Sammana. “I challenged him and said that if he could stop the play, I would retire from the stage. I also told him that he should retire from politics if he fails,” he says in the book.
The fight between the two went on for many months, recalled senior journalist Vijayamma. Eventually, the government proposed to ban the play on grounds of promoting communal disharmony and discussions were held in the Assembly.
Mr. Hirannaiah made the first move and filed a caveat in the High Court. After two months of pitched legal battle, Mr. Hirannaiah won the case, Ms. Vijayamma recounted. Lanchavaatara earned him several defamation notices but none could derail the play.
Mr. Hirannaiah was one of the few artistes who resisted Emergency through his play. He staged Kapi Mushti (then called Anaachara) in Bengaluru shortly after Emergency was declared in 1975.
Play banned
“The play was a direct take on the life of Indira Gandhi and had a character resembling godman Dhirendra Brahmachari. I was present at that first show. Actor H.P. Saroja played the role of Indira Gandhi. However, the play was soon banned,” Ms. Vijayamma recalled.
But he remained undaunted. “He would put up banners of his other plays Devadasi, Echama Nayaka but stage Kapi Mushti inside,” recalled senior journalist Gudihalli Nagaraj.
Arrest warrant
Mr. Hirannaiah’s youngest son Gurunath recalled those days and said he was often tipped off by “admirer” police and media of arrest warrants. He moved to the next village to evade arrest.
Ms. Vijayamma said that most artistes were shielded from Emergency’s excesses in the State.