Mysore/Mysuru: Stating that Karnataka has made an enormous contribution to Indian  theatre, KSGH Music and Performing Arts University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nagesh V. Bettakote said that the survival of theatre music and songs holds key for the sustenance of our rich traditions.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 15-day workshop on theatre music and songs, organised by Davangere-based ‘Vrutti Rangabhoomi Rangayana’ in the Varsity premises here yesterday by playing the harmonium.

Noting that Karnataka’s professional theatre has a rich history spanning decades, Prof. Nagesh said that hundreds of theatre companies and organisations  have given livelihood to thousands of artistes and also have acted as a link between language and culture. Theatre in the State reached its greatest height when the famed Gubbi theatre company existed, he added.

Pointing out that those were the days when artistes had to mandatorily learn theatre music for performing in plays, he recalled the days when horses and elephants were brought on the stage during Gubbi Veeranna plays.

“In yesteryears, artistes who had a strong voice were given special importance. However, with the passage of time and advent of modernity, the plays by theatre companies lost their sheen,” he observed.

Highlighting the support extended by Nalwadi for the theatre, Prof. Nagesh said that the erstwhile Mysore ruler had sent local artistes to London’s Globe Theatre for promotion of the             collaborative art form.

Davangere’s Vrutti Rangabhumi Rangayana Director Mallikarjun Kadakola, in his address, said that theatre acting, music and scenes design have over 150 years of history. He expressed concern that due to the influence of the media of our times, theatre company plays are setting aside the basic tenets of the theatre.

“Earlier, Kanda, Vrutta, Seesa poetry compositions used to be the major parts of theatre music. Now, there is no such songs in theatre plays. Over 15,000 plays are being performed in the State annually, each costing more than Rs.5 lakh. Theatre organisations are earning an annual revenue of about  Rs. 75 crore as gate collection from plays,” he said.

Senior theatre personality Y.M. Puttannaiah, Music Varsity Registrar Prof. M.G. Manjunath, Ranga Samaja member H.S. Suresh Babu, Rangayana Special Officer Ravichandra, Workshop Convenor Supreet S. Bharadwaj, Bhramara Udupa and others were present.