Mysore/Mysuru: Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi has said,  “Kannada and Culture Department and Rangayana, Mysuru, have enormously contributed to the growth of art, literature, music and other forms of arts.”

Tangadagi addressed a gathering of theatre lovers during the inauguration of B.V. Karanth College Theatre Training Camp and Subbaiah Naidu and Padma Shri Nagarathnamma Amateur Theatre Training Camp, at Bhoomigeeta auditorium in Rangayana premises in city on Monday.

Rangayana, through various programmes like Bahuroopi National Theatre Festival, Chinnara Mela, Navaratri Rangotsava, College and Amateur Theatre Training Camps, Seminar, Exhibitions and Theatrical Experiments and several others, has been working towards the growth of art, literature, music and dance and other art forms, said Minister Tangadagi.

“I have received several suggestions during the interaction with  writers and theatre persons for the  development of theatre and to save Kannada land, water and language. The suggestions will be scrutinised and incorporated in Kannada and Culture Department. There is a pressure from several quarters over the appointment of a Director for Rangayana, Mysuru, who is pro-Development. The Director will be appointed soon in consultation with the Chief Minister,” said Minister Tangadagi.

Rangayana Deputy Director Nirmala Mathapati has provided a complete information regarding the activities of Rangayana. That apart, Rangayana Joint Director V.N. Mallikarjunaswamy, who is also the Joint Director of Kannada and Culture Department, Regional Office, has also provided the details about the programmes. Following the invitation of Deputy Director to inaugurate Theatre Training Camps, I have made time despite my busy schedule. Besides, I am happy to be opportune to get a glimpse of theatre activities, holding the additional responsibility as Rangayana Director, said Minister Tangadagi.

“The Ilkal taluk in Bagalkot district, where I got my political birth, had a theatre troupe by name ‘Sneha Ranga.’ They were enacting ‘Jo Kumaraswamy’ play, which I was watching during my college days. With most of the artistes settled in Ilkal town, I too share interest for theatre,” recalled Minister Tangadagi.

He (Minister Tangadagi) further said, “I have plans to organise Kanakagiri Cultural Festival at Kanakagiri Constituency that I represent in the Legislative Assembly. I will think over organising the Festival on a bigger scale after consulting the Department Officers. Also, a meeting regarding Dasara Cultural programmes will be convened soon, for the want of more information regarding the Dasara festivities.”

Kannada and Culture Department Director Vishwanath P. Hiremath, veteran theatre person Venkataramana Aital, Camp Convener Arasikere Yoganand, senior artiste Sowmya Panaje and others were present.