Mysuru:  Rangavalli, an amateur theatre team from Mysuru, has organised a State-level Theatre Festival from Dec.6 to 8. The purpose of this Festival is to share the wonderful productions that have captivated the audience across the State.

The theatre troupe is active since 12 years. Since 2016, on the occasion of completing 10 years, Rangavalli has been organising a State-level Theatre Festival by inviting various troupes. 

Along with staging of plays, this will also be a platform for cultural events like Light Music, Classical Music, Jugalbandi, Tatvapada, Chande Mela, Hulivesha, Mime, Rock Show, Band, Art Exhibition, Photo Exhibition and so on. 

The Festival will be inaugurated by noted theatre and film personality Sharath Lohitashwa at 4 pm on Nov.6 at Maneyangala in Kalamandira. Kannada & Culture Asst. Director H. Channappa will preside. Rangayana Joint Director V.N. Mallikarjunaswamy will be the chief guest. Rangavalli Founder-Member Raviprasad will be present.

While the plays will be staged at Mini Theatre in Kalamandira at 7 pm, preceding cultural event will be held at Kindarijogi premises at the venue at 4 pm.

Art Exhibition: A solo art expo by A.R. Manjunath has also been organised at the Mini Theatre premises during the three-day Fest.

Manjunath is an MFA specialising in Sculpture Art from Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Arts (CAVA), Mysuru. He works with mixed mediums, and has developed a very distinctive style of his own.

Also, Rangavalli will be displaying the posters of the its productions since its inception.

Dec.6 [FRIDAY] 

4 pm: Inauguration

5 pm: Tatvapada and Sufi songs recital by Naada Maninalkur, Bantwal, South Canara.

Bhaskara, popularly known as Naada Maninalkur, is trying to reach out to people across the State through Kannada Sufi songs. He is enabling people to talk with the self and helping youngsters to overcome the challenges posed by the present and past. A dotar and over 50 songs accompany this singer who is performing at diverse platforms, addressing students, elderly people, farmers, corporate employees, prisoners, journalist, academicians, etc.  

He used music as a medium to interact with people, and help them connect with each other. His first effort, ‘Kattala Haadu,’ a series of musical events in the night. Without electric lighting, was an attempt to defy the popular notion that darkness is negative. People who attended felt that the songs rendered without any instruments except dotar were empathetic and enjoyable.

7 pm: Play ‘Rakshasa-Tangadi’ by NiNaSam Repertory, Heggodu; Playwright: Girish Karnada; Direction: B.R. Venkataramana Aithal

Synopsis: Irrespective of the ‘Mahabharata’ showing the evident destruction caused by war, Indian history has seen and is seeing many battles. This play at its core, tells the meaninglessness of the war.

Dec.7 [SATURDAY]

4 pm: ‘Band Bajao’ Brass Band Concert by Bharat Brass Band, Mysuru.

7 pm: Play ‘Karnasangatya’ based on many Kannada poems by NiNaSam Repertory, Heggodu; Direction: Ganesh Mandarti 

Synopsis: The play ‘Karnasangatya’ is an adaptation that combines Folk Mahabharata, Pampa Bharata and a Yakshagana Prasanga by 

Amruta Someshwara.

 Dec.8 [SUNDAY]

4 pm: Hindustani Recital by Aniruddh Aital (Vocal), Pt. Bhimashankar Bidanoor (Tabla) and Deepak Nagannavar (Harmonium).

7 pm: Play ‘Parshwa Sangeetha’ based on writings of Srinivasa Vaidya by Rangavalli, Mysuru; Adaptation: B.P. Arun; Direction: Prashanth Hiremath.

Synopsis: This is a play where an elderly man reminisces the story of his uncle Shama, who was a ardent fan of Hindi film music in an era where it was considered as un-orthodox.