Rangayana to document its plays staged over 3 decades

Mysuru: Rangayana, the premier theatre repertory which was closed for the past two months due to lockdown, will restart its activities by documenting over 100 plays it has performed/ produced in the last 31 years.
The theatre repertory came into existence in 1989, thanks to the efforts of doyen of Kannada theatre, B V Karanth. The repertory, which has seen C Basavalingaiah, Prasanna, Chidambara Rao Jambe, B Jayashree and others noted theatre personalities as its directors, has performed hundreds of plays and also encouraged youngsters to take up theatre.
As the lockdown has now been lifted, the authorities have started to document all its plays staged by senior theatre artistes, amateur groups and touring theatre artistes.
Rangayana director Addanda C Cariappa told TOI that all the plays will be documented. “Rangayana will showcase a 50ft tall painting titled ‘Sambhavami Yuge Yuge’ by senior artist-designers Dwarakananth and Ranganatha to spread awareness on coronavirus on June 17. The unique painting draws corona warriors killing corona parallel to Lord Krishna killing Kalinga,” he said.
Cariappa said that they will also felicitate five corona warriors from various departments, including police, health, ASHA workers, civic department, to appreciate and acknowledge their work.
Green venue, short-term courses
“Karanth had set up Vanaranga to stage plays outdoors and amidst greenery. Taking it further, we will develop greenery in the entire premises under ‘Vanaranga Kadu’, a concept akin to Gurukula. Hundreds of saplings will be planted in the premises to make it a mini forest,” he said.
Rangayana will start a three-month course for amateur artistes in 18-30 age group, and a six-month course for children, for which the classes will be conducted on Saturdays and Sundays. “The two courses will be offered from August, and as per the government directions on coronavirus,” he said.