Satyavanne Heluththene, a must-see Kannada play

The miracle of social media is in a sense a boon to the freedom of speech for all as much as it is a curse. No wonder, the Australian Government has decided to ban the use of social media by youths below the age of 16.

Apart from the universal spread of fake news, it has become a scourge, known as Cyber Crime, creating law and order problem in the society.

However, on the contrary, it is a blessing too. It is a window for those who want to expose hitherto suppressed truths in politics, history and every area of human activity. In politics, the politicians are known to tell lies and revel in practising the art of ‘suppressio veri, suggestio falsi’ — suppress the truth and suggest the lie, falsehood.

This is the 77th year of our independence and all these years we believed that it was the Congress party and its leaders alone who got us the freedom through non-violent, peaceful means. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, the tallest among them all, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and a few other Congress party members. Sadly, other freedom fighters and the role played by them, like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Veer Savarkar and Subhash Chandra Bose, who did not belong to Congress party, were ignored or sidelined in the books of history or public discourse.

To put this false narrative, this discriminatory discourse, in proper perspective and turn the spotlight on other heroes of our freedom struggle and tell the TRUTH to the present generation, an effort is made by a Kannada Playwright-Director-Actor Addanda C. Cariappa. He was a former Director of Rangayana, Mysuru and studied in the iconic Heggodu-based Ninasam (Sri Nilakanteshwara           Natyaseva Sangha) Theatre Repertory. The result of that effort is the Kannada play Satyavanne Heluththene — Will Tell Only The Truth.

‘Truth is always bitter’ is an axiomatic saying used in common parlance. Doctors know this more than politicians. Which is why they treat the patients with ‘sugar-coated’ pills! However, Addanda Cariappa explains that this play is an excavation of history of India’s freedom struggle exposing the truth buried so far and not told by the Congress politicians in power.

If Mahatma Gandhi experimented with truth and audaciously called his autobiography as ‘My Experiments With Truth,’ here in this play Addanda Cariappa seems excavating the buried TRUTH of Congress leaders of our freedom struggle and calls his play Satyavanne Heluththene — Will Tell Only The Truth.

I have seen this play when it was staged in the Kiru Rangamandira, adjacent to the Kalamandira for four days from Oct. 28 to Oct. 31. It is a three-hour-long play but holds the viewer to his seat unaware of the time. It is a play with a well-conceived theme and well-directed. The actors have effortlessly carried the play on their shoulders and delivered a sterling performance.

I was much mesmerised and thrilled watching Mahatma Gandhi enacted by a Hunsur boy S. Shivamurthy, aged 32. An element of lampooning, probably as required in the situation, was elevated to its full potential by this young actor playing the role of a 79-year-old man, Mahatma Gandhi. The audience reacted at his persona and often repeated refrain ‘Ahimso Paramodharma’ (non-violence is universal religion) etc., with either a laughter or a smirk.

The genius of the playwright is seen in the way he has constructed the narrative. All the six protagonists — Gandhiji, Nehru, Patel, Savarkar, Ambedkar and Bose — are no more. They are called to earth from their abode above to tell the TRUTH in the ‘court of conscience’ (DvÀä¸ÁQëAiÀÄ £ÁåAiÀiÁ®AiÀÄ) about what they had probably LIED while alive. That makes the narrative interesting for the audience. It is a call for confession, repentance as much as for an introspection. It is an effort to correct the historical wrong discourse dished out to the people of India by Congress leaders — Gandhiji, Nehru and Patel — and to get the other three — Savarkar, Ambedkar and Bose — to expose the untruth uttered by the former three.

This culture of telling lies and misleading people to acquire power and remain in power continues with our politicians even to this day. For example, Sharad Pawar, who was the Chief Minister of Maharashtra during the 1993 serial bomb blasts in Mumbai, had done the unthinkable according to a recent report. When there were only 12 blasts killing over 300 people, he had announced    one more 13th blast in Masjid Bunder to portray that Muslims too were victims of the blast, not merely Hindus. It was ‘to promote Hindu-Muslim harmony!’ Let it be.

In such a political ecosystem, this play is a must-watch for the present and future generations of this country.

The well-known Kannada novelist and thinker Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa, after watching the play went up to the stage, spoke appreciating the play and suggested that it be translated to other languages of our country and staged to reach a larger audience.

Be that as it may, staging a play in these days of competition from cinema, TV and Laptop etc., is financially not viable, a very few exceptions apart, if at all. Therefore, staging plays such as this, Satyavanne Heluththene needs support from patrons and theatre-lovers. In this case, specially from those who swear by ‘India First’ sentiment. Gratitude may be sent to Rangabhoomi Trust, Kodagu, SBI A/c No. 64178640827. IFSC: SBIN0040320 or Mobile: 94484-22343.

Note: This play, which received good response during the four-day shows last month, will be staged again for three days from Nov. 11 to 13 at 6.30 pm at Kiru Rangamandira. The ticket is priced at Rs. 200.

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