Rangayana all set for this year’s Bahuroopi

By S.N. Venkatnag Sobers

Following the ideology of 12th Century reformer and visionary, Mysuru’s theatre repertory Rangayana will be hosting its 20th edition of Bahuroopi National Theatre Festival based on the topic ‘Iva Nammava Iva Nammava’ from March 6 to 11. The Theatre Festival has been treating theatre buffs from all over the country since 2001 when it began as ‘AKKA’ Festival when noted theatre director Prasanna held the reins of Rangayana. Later, it was renamed as ‘BAHUROOPI.’

Though the Festival was not organised in 2002, Bahuroopi was successfully held every year since 2003 before it was given a break for two years in 2020 and 2021 owing the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the National Theatre Festival returned with its past glory during March, 2022 with the theme ‘Taayi’ (Mother) followed by another edition in the month of December, 2022 under the theme ‘Bharateeyate’ (Indianness) with an aim to strengthen nationalism and create awareness to the new generation about the history, culture and patriotic fervour of India.

Previously, Rangayana has organised various editions of the National Theatre Festival with different themes focusing on Women Issues, Agriculture, Folk Culture, Tribal Culture, Desi Culture, Rabindranath Tagore, Jnanpith Awardees from Karnataka, Shakespeare, Sufi Culture, Water, Abhiyakthi among others. The Festival has also witnessed theatre groups from Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh and Poland performing on the main stage when it was organised as a Multi-lingual International Theatre Festival during 2018.

This year, the Bahuroopi Theatre Festival is being organised with theme ‘Iva Nammava Iva Nammava’ with vision to promote the idea of egalitarian society. The Theatre Fest will be inaugurated by renowned lyricist Jayanth Kaikini at Vanaranga on Mar. 7 at 4.30 pm. District in-Charge Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa will inaugurate the Books and Handicrafts Exhibition. Minister for Kannada and Culture Shivaraj S. Tangadagi will release the souvenir. Painting Exhibition will be inaugurated by MP Prathap Simha. Department of Kannada and Culture Secretary Dr. N. Manjula will unveil ‘Vachanantaranga,’ a special painting exhibits of artiste Shivalingappa based on the Basavanna’s vachanas. The display of historical documents will be inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Dr. K.V. Rajendra. Department of Kannada and Culture Commissioner Dr. K. Dharanidevi Malagatti will be the chief guest. Chamaraja MLA K. Harishgowda will preside over the event. Department of Kannada and Culture Joint Director V.N. Mallikarjunaswamy, Rangayana Deputy Director Nirmala Mathapati and Bahuroopi-2024 Co-ordinator Prof. H.S. Umesh will be present.

Renowned folk artiste Dr. Malavalli Mahadevaswamy will inaugurate Janapada Sambhrama on Mar. 6 at Kindarijogi premises at 5.30 pm. Folklorist Dr. Jayalakshmi Seethapura will be the chief guest.

Bahuroopi Film Festival will be inaugurated by International Wildlife Photographer Dr. Lokesh Mosale at Sriranga auditorium on Mar. 7 at 10.30 am followed by a keynote address by Film Festival Convenor K. Manu.