Mysuru: Fondly remembering 16 noted theatre personalities, Rangarathnakara, Bengaluru, had organised ‘Ranga Namana’ event at Mini Theatre in Kalamandira premises here yesterday.

The contributions of well-known and talented theatre personalities of yesteryears including Ranganayakamma (sister of noted cine actor Dingri Nagaraj), Bapurao Govindraj (B.G. Rao) of Mysuru, Kalarathna K.N. Basavaraj of Kolar, ‘Kalapriya’ city-based amateur theatre troupe Founder Srikanta Gundappa, D.V. Channabasappa of Devarahalli, Gundlupet taluk, S.S. Gayathri of Mysuru, G.R. Ramachandra of Singanellur, Sagare Venkatappa of Kollegal, theatre artiste Dikki Madhava Rao’s nephew M. Nagaraj (Dikki), B.G. Vasudevan of Manday, Chamarajanagar’s Tabla Mahadevanna, Tabla Ramakrishna, Rangavani Mahadev of Mysuru, Ranga Pragathi Mahadev of Mysuru, Radhamurthy of Doddaballapura and Mohan Das were fondly remembered on this occasion.

Retired Prasaranaga Director K.T. Veerappa inaugurated the programme and addressed the gathering. Mysuru District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Dr. Y.D. Rajanna later released a handbook, which provided short description of the above theatre artistes. Later, theatre enthusiasts and artistes shared their experiences and paid tributes to the great artistes of yesteryears.

Delivering the introductory speech, Rangarathnakara Secretary K.S. Govindagowda stated that the organisation Rangarathnakara has been set up to revive professional theatre (vrutti rangabhumi) which were very well-known in the past for their mythological plays.

Mysuru City & District Artistes Central Committee President M.M. Nagaraj was the chief guest. Rangaprabha Samskritika Vedike President H.V. Ganesh, veteran theatre artiste Sarojamma, Rangarathnakara President Kiragasuru Rajappa and other theatre enthusiasts were present.