City-based theatre group Rangavalli, in association with the Directorate of Kannada & Culture, Bengaluru and Vijaya Vittala Educational Institutions (VVEI), Mysuru, has organised a 4-day Theatre Festival ‘Rangavalli Ranga Sambhrama – 2024 at Mini Theatre (Kiru Rangamandira) in Kalamandira premises here from Nov. 7 to 10.

The Fest will be inaugurated by senior theatre artiste Rameshwari Verma on Nov. 7 at 6 pm. Film Director N.S. Islahuddin will be the chief guest. Department of Kannada & Culture Joint Director V.N. Mallikarjunaswamy and Assistant Director Dr. M.D. Sudarshan will be the guests of honour. Rangayana Director Satish Tiptur will preside. Rangavalli Founder-Member and Trustee H.R. Raviprasad and Treasurer & Festival Committee Convenor Manjunath Shastri will be present. Inaugural ceremony will be followed by ‘Ranga Sangeethanjali,’ a theatre songs prog. by State Award Winner Y.M. Puttannaiah and troupe from 6.30 pm.

The four-day Fest will feature staging of plays by theatre troupes from Bengaluru and Mangaluru and cultural programmes by Mysore Police Band, Light Music by Nithin Rajaram Shastry and Bharat Brass Band. While entry for cultural programmes is free, Rs. 100 per ticket is charged to watch the plays.

SCHEDULE

Nov. 7 (Thursday): Time: 6.30 pm- ‘Ranga Sangeethanjali’ by State Award Winner Y.M. Puttannaiah and troupe.

Nov. 8 (Friday) Time: 5.30 pm- Mass Band by Mysore Police Band- Time:7 pm-Play : Natyadevacharite; Source: Moliere; Kannada Adaptation : Krishna Hebbaleand Hemanth Kumar; Direction : Prithvi Venugopal ; Troupe :        Sanchaya, Bengaluru.

Synopsis: In the tradition of 17th-century French Renaissance plays, Molière, known for his unique wit, has remained beloved by audiences of all classes, from his time to the present. By following the model of characters, settings and dramatic elements typical of comedy, Molière also served as a mirror to the social realities of his time.

The play Natyadevacharite revolves around a fraudulent religious leader who deceives a middle-class family in the name of faith. The household servant grows suspicious of the religious leader who, under the guise of spirituality, manipulates the family. Through a series of dramatic turns, his true colours are eventually revealed.

This play, reportedly written by Molière to point at a particular religious organisation of his era, is a satire that incisively critiques religious hypocrisy and pretence across all times and places.

Nov. 9 (Saturday): Time: 5.30 pm- ‘Sugama Sangeetha’ (Light Music) by Nithin Rajaram Shastry and troupe, Mysuru- Time: 7 pm; Play : A Friend Beyond the Fence Stage, Puppet  Design & Direction : Shravan Heggodu; Troupe : Kalabhi, Mangaluru

Synopsis: This play is based on a poignant story set in a concentration camp in Poland during the Second World War. The narrative centres on a deep bond of friendship between two innocent eight-year-old boys—Alex, the son of a Nazi commander and Ethan, a Jewish boy — despite being separated by barbed wire. A baby elephant named ‘Timbo,’ who shares a close friendship with the Jewish boy, stands as a symbol of friendship amid the daily horrors of the camp.

Renowned for his innovative theatre style and puppetry, director Shravan Heggodu, acclaimed for works like Rex Hours and The Giving Tree, has directed this play. Inspired by both fictional and real stories, Shravan Heggodu has crafted this play to depict the horrors inflicted on Jewish people by Nazi racial hatred, moving the audience through the perspective of two innocent children.

Nov. 10 (Sunday): Time: 4.30 pm- Brass Band performance by Bharat Brass Band, Gandhinagar, Mysuru- Time: 7 pm; Play : Shivoham; Design, Music and Direction: Ganesh Mandarthi; Troupe        : Chronicles of India, Bengaluru.

Synopsis: This is both a mythological and social play featuring two intertwined stories. One revolves around the tales of Lord Shiva, while the other focuses on a character representing Shiva in a village setting. Shiva is an ancient symbol of our land, revered by the backward community. He is known as Natashekhara, the yogi who burns desire and also as a figure entangled in the complexities of love and family.

In parallel, there is a character who embodies a revolutionary spirit and a lover lamenting lost love. The female characters challenge male arrogance and societal constraints, often triumphing in their struggles.

The dreams of the character representing Shiva remain unfulfilled, reflecting the ongoing unfulfilled dreams of the backward community. Shiva exists in disarray, frequently escaping the coherence of his character, which is why this play feels both cohesive and disjointed, much like our own lives.

For details, contact Rangavalli, Secretary B. Rajesh on Mob: 94488-71815 Manjunath Shastri on Mob: 99016-26701 H.R. Raviprasad on Mob: 99646-56482