“Late S. Malathi was the first woman Theatre Director who also portrayed the problems of women and always voiced for their struggle,” opined Senior Theatre Director H.S. Umesh.

He was speaking after launching ‘Greeshma Rangothsava’ at Rangayana here on Sunday in memory of late S. Malathi.

Umesh recalled that Malathi had a long association with Mysuru theatre activities having entered theatre when she was studying MA and went on to become a director.

He said that Malathi drew the attention of all when women-centric plays were not so popular and changed the trend.

He further said that Malathi came out with her first play based on her own personal experiences and added that her last play was ‘Seethayana’ adapted from Valmiki Ramayana which was an eye-opener for all problems of women.

Speaking on the occasion, theatre artiste K.R. Sumathi said that Malathi was an inspirational force for women to enter theatre, recalling her own experience.

Later, Drishya Kavya troupe from Bengaluru presented the play ‘Maayabete’ at Bhoomigeeta. The artistes excellently portrayed the pseudo-broadmindedness of society for the welfare and empowerment of women veiling the persistent male chauvinism, harassment of women and a possible outcome of all these facts.

Rangayana Joint Director V.N. Mallikarjunaswamy, Greeshma Rangothsava Convenor S. Ramu and others were present during the event.