Natana children stage play ‘Rama Ravanara Yuddha’

Mysuru: Bhima, one of the five Pandava brothers in the epic Mahabharatha, appears in another epic Ramayanya! How is this possible when there is no Bhima in Ramayana? The children have brought him in the Chinnara Ramayana in the play titled ‘Rama  Ravanara Yuddha.’

Rashtrakavi Kuvempu, who had created Bhima’s character in Ramayana during his growing up years with his friends, had brought him alive later in words. He, in his work ‘Malenadina Chitragalu,’ had recalled his younger days in one of the chapters — ‘Rama Ravanara Yuddha.’

This story was presented in the form of a play on Nov.14 as part of Children’s Day at  Kalamandira, which drowned the audience consisting mainly of children in laughter.

The play was staged by Natana Rangashale children under the Kannada and Culture Department’s project of encouraging children’s talents and young  writers. The play begins with the scene of children watching ‘Rama Ravanara Yuddha’ the whole night in the open and the next day enacting that play.

Theatre personality  K.R. Sumathi has directed the play.  Students from various schools had gathered in large numbers to watch the play which was a free show.

Earlier, State award winner and child artiste Siri Vanalli inaugurated the play. Speaking on the occasion, she said that theatre is a conglomeration of various arts. Any art will project only its merits. But theatre is the only art form that reflects all arts including dance and music. The children should dream big and try to achieve it, she added.

Thinker Prof. Kalegowda Nagavara said, the whole country is celebrating Children’s Day. However, it is unfortunate to see that in many of the districts in North Karnataka atrocities are committed on children. Apart from this, they are also suffering from malnutrition. In the light of this, it is very important to protect the rights of children, he added.

The director of the play Sumathi, Convenor H. Janardhan, Theatre Director Prof. H.S. Umesh, Rangayana Joint Director V.N. Mallikarjunaswamy and others were present.