Mysuru: Senior actor Shankar Ashwath inaugurated the three-day Kadamba Ranga Habba organised by Kadamba Ranga Vedike in association with the Department of Kannada and Culture at Kiru Rangamandira in Kalamandira premises, here on Feb. 15.

Speaking on the occasion, Shankar Ashwath said, while the number of youngsters involving themselves in theatre had increased in recent years, they must also involve themselves in Sannata and Balayata, the forms of Yakshagana which help in society building.

Stating that his father Ashwath had contributed to cinema immensely through which he is being identified in society today, Shankar said people still watched yesteryear movies as the actors breathed life into the characters as they came well prepared for the shoot.

Senior artiste Y.M. Puttannaiah, who spoke on the occasion, expressed how the times had changed over the past years with mythological plays being staged throughout the night to being cut short for three hours.

“However, people have continued to patronise mythological plays which has enabled us to continue with the theatre culture,” he added.

Following the inaugural event, Y.M. Puttannaiah and team rendered some well-known                            theatre songs.

Department of Kannada and Culture Joint Director V.N. Mallikarjunaswamy, Kadamba Ranga Vedike President Rajashekar Kadamba, Ranga Samaja Member H.S. Suresh Babu and others were present during the  inauguration.

Yesterday, play ‘Ashwaghosha’ was staged by the artistes of ‘Shanthala Kalavidaru’ of Chamarajanagar, as part of the Theatre Fest.

Today (Feb. 17), the three-day Kadamba Ranga Habba will conclude with Sanchalana Mysuru troupe staging the play ‘Chithraturaga Nyaya Artaath Keertiya Avanthara’ at 7 pm.