The play to be staged at Mini Theatre in Kalamandira premises on Apr. 3, 4 and 5

Mysore/Mysuru: Senior writer and lyricist Jayanth Kaikini has expressed concern that changing lifestyles in urban areas are causing cracks in relationships.

He noted that today’s youth living in cities wear neatly ironed clothes at home and even wear footwear indoors. This situation is startling for parents who have migrated from villages to cities.

He was speaking after releasing the Kannada translation of Marathi play ‘Party,’ written by playwright Mahesh Elkunchwar and translated by senior theatre artiste Prasad Kundur, at an event organised on Saturday at Vanaranga in Rangayana premises, in collaboration with Niranthara Foundation and Abhiruchi Prakashana.

He said that Mahesh never liked to include unnecessary words in his plays and used only as many words as required for a dialogue. Drama has always been part of daily life and now, in written form, it has become a reflection of society.

In Uttara Kannada district, during festivals and gatherings, people from the Halakki community wear various costumes and perform dances in the streets. Through their performances, they express anger against so-called “civilised society” that has kept them marginalised.

Youth from marginalised communities who migrate from villages to cities observe the lifestyle of the urban “civilised society” and feel that they have been deprived of education while others enjoy a comfortable life. This leads to silent resentment and attempts to rebel against the system. He noted that such situations are highlighted in the play ‘Party’.

Senior Critic Prof. O.L. Nagabhushana Swamy observed that the so-called civilised society living in urban areas is suffering from loneliness. Meanwhile, marginalised communities who observe the behaviour of this society often harbour resentment towards a system that has excluded them. In this context, the Kannada translation of Mahesh’s play by Prasad Kundur stands out for preserving the original essence while adapting it to the Kannada cultural context, he added.

Former Rangayana Director Chidambara Rao Jambe, playwright D.S. Chougale, Rangayana Director Satish Tiptur, Publisher Abhiruchi Ganesh and translator Prasad Kundur were present on the dais.

The event was attended by wildlife photographers Krupakar and Senani, Tukaram, Niranthara Director Hariprasad, Srinivas Palahalli, M.M. Suguna, Gandhian Sujay Kumar from Srirangapatna, artistes Sacchu and Rajappa Dalavai, Prof. Shivaswamy, Prakash Ravandur, Merin Prasad, retired IAS officer K.S. Prabhakar, Assistant Director of Kannada and Culture Dr. M.D. Sudarshan, Sneha Ramdas, Dr. Mita Devanur, journalist Omkar and literature enthusiasts.

Staging of ‘Party’

The play ‘Party’ will be staged by Niranthara Foundation at Mini Theatre in Kalamandira premises on Apr. 3, 4 and 5 at 7 pm. Chidambara Rao Jambe has directed the production.

The story revolves around a celebratory party that takes place over the course of a single night. It sheds light on the behaviour, arrogance, pretensions and the societal influence of those who claim intellectual and ideological superiority.

Poster launched

The poster of the play was unveiled at a press meet held at Pathrakarthara Bhavan in city recently. Present on the occasion were senior theatre personalities Chidambara Rao Jambe and Prasad Kundur, senior wildlife photographer Lokesh Mosale, Niranthara Foundation President M.M. Suguna and Director Srinivas Palahalli.