Mysuru: Renowned actor and theatre person Pankaj Kapur of Mr. Karamchand fame, will be inaugurating Bahuroopi – 2018 National Theatre Festival at Rangayana here. However, the actor is yet to confirm his participation.

Rangayana, which organises the annual theatre festival, is also said to have approached actors Nana Patekar and Mohan Lal for the inaugural event to be held on Jan. 14, 2018. The eight-day theatre fest,being organised on the theme ‘Migration’ will culminate on Jan. 21. The plays, street plays, seminars will be held at venues — Bhoomigeetha, Kalamandira, Mini Auditorium, Kindarijogi and Vanaranga.

Prior to be named as Bahuroopi, the national theatre festival was launched as AKKA Festival during 2001 when renowned theatre-director Prasanna held the reins at Rangayana.

Rangayana has selected ‘Migration’ as theme to highlight issues related to migration of people from rural areas and animals as well.

The theatre repertory has invited drama troupes from Pune, Manipur, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to stage plays. This apart, Rangayana artistes will be staging the plays ‘Three Sisters’ and ‘Kola’.

There will also be five one-woman shows — two Kannada and three other languages. Among these shows, ‘Jeevith Ya Amruth’ by Seema Biwas will be the one to watch.

The other plays at the fest include Kali Natakam (Malayalam), Museum of Spices is in Danger (Hindi – Mumbai), Pandvai (Folk Art – Madhya Pradesh), Samajswasthya (Marathi- Pune), Bhaktha Prahalada (Telangana).

Rangayana will also provide an opportunity for students to exhibit their folk art skills through ‘Yuva Spandana.’ The repertory will make use of the services of amateur theatre groups in the city in organising the festival. The members of the theatre groups will be working to conduct street plays as part of the publicity programme which is expected to commence at the earliest.