Mysore/Mysuru: ‘COVID Kattaleyalloo Rangabelaku,’ a book marking the first year in office of Rangayana Director Addanda C. Cariappa, will be released at a programme to take place at Bhoomigeeta in Rangayana premises at 3.30 pm on Dec. 31.

Announcing this at a press meet at Rangayana yesterday, Rangayana Mysuru Director Addanda C. Cariappa said that MLA L. Nagendra will release the book. Senior theatre and film art director Shashidhar Adapa will be the guest of honour. 

Pointing out that the book explains about all the activities that took place in the theatre repertory amid the COVID-19 crisis, Cariappa said that subsequent to the release of the book at 3.30 pm on Dec. 31, students of Rangayana’s Bharatiya Rangashikshana Kendra will present a demonstration on ‘Kolata Mattu Raaga Saraaga,’ which will be followed by Tala-Maddale ‘Bheeshmaarjuna’ by Anjaneya Mahila Yakshagana Sangha of Puttur (Director: Bhaskar Barya) at Vanaranga in Rangayana premises at 6.30 pm. 

Referring to the preparations going on in Rangayana for performing a play based on Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa’s  popular work ‘Parva’, he said that a team of 30 artistes including 15 from Rangayana itself has started practicing the play and the practice will gain more pace from Jan. 1. 

Exuding confidence that ‘Parva’ play will be performed on stage by the end of February, he said that it is a 7-hour-long play, with three breaks — one for lunch and two for tea. However, it is not yet been decided whether the play should be staged during the day or night, he said and added that Rangayana has plans to perform the play three times a week in March, April and May.

Continuing, he said that ‘Parva’ play will also have sub-titles in at least two other languages and there are plans for staging the play in all parts of the State after May, for which funds will be sought from the Government.

Regarding ‘Bahuroopi’ National Theatre Festival, Cariappa said that the festival in the past years was usually held in the month of January. But due to COVID-19 crisis, this important Theatre Festival cannot be held in January 2021 and Rangayana is planning to hold it in April 2021 depending upon COVID-19 situation in the State, he noted.

Announcing that ‘Bahuroopi’ has been declared as a State Festival following representations to the State Government, he said that the Government has sanctioned Rs. 1 crore for the festival, out of which Rs. 50 lakh has been released. 

Stating that Rangayana will be staging the play ‘Sutradhara’ in February with an objective of spreading the aspirations of the Constitution among the public, he said that 10 artistes have been selected for the play. The play is scripted by well-know playwright S. Ramnath, he added.

Campaign for naming road after B.V. Karanth

Cariappa said that a ‘Abhiyaana’ (campaign) will be taken out by Rangayana artistes, theatre personalities, students and all others involved in the theatre, at the entry gate of Rangayana, seeking to name the road connecting Kalamandira with Kukkarahalli Lake Gate (Railway Crossing side) after renowned theatre director Padma Shri B.V. Karanth, who was instrumental in setting up the theatre repertory in the city. 

Maintaining that several representations have been made to the MCC and the State Government in this regard, he said that the ‘Abhiyaana’ will be taken out at 11.30 am on Dec. 31 ahead of the release of the book ‘COVID  Kattaleyalloo Rangabelaku.’

The Rangayana Director further said that ‘Bendre Beragu’, a music programme in memory of Jnanapith awardee Da.Ra. Bendre, will be held at 6.30 pm on Jan. 2, 2021 in Rangayana premises. Hindustani singer Ramachandra G. Hadapad, Shwetha Prabhu, writer G.P. Basavaraju, renowned singer Vidu. H.R. Leelavathi and other dignitaries will be part of the programme, he added.

Cariappa also said that Rangayana will be staging several plays in January.