‘Bikhre Bimb’ turns 50
Creating a record
Girish Karnad’s hugely successful play, Bikhre Bimb (in Hindi) will be staged at Ranga Shankara on April 17 (7.30 pm) and on April 18 (3.30 pm and 7.30 pm).
Directed by Girish Karnad and K M Chaitanya and featuring Arundhati Nag as the feisty Kannada writer who suddenly becomes an international celebrity by writing a best-seller in English, this play is hailed as one of the best productions in the country.
The show scheduled for 7.30 pm on April 18 marks the 50th show of Bikhre Bimb and the 100th show of the play in three languages put together — 29 shows of Odakalu Bimba in Kannada (also featuring Arundhati Nag) and 21 shows of Heaps of Broken Images in English, featuring Arundhati Raja.
Ranga Shankara set a record of sorts in March '05 when it produced the play in two languages simultaneously — Kannada and English. Subsequently, the two versions were played at Ranga Shankara for at least six shows every month, for over six months. Odakalu Bimba has travelled to important centres and theatre fests in the State, Bikhre Bimb has been invited to every major city and festival in India, and Broken Images has travelled to Delhi and Chennai.
Bikhre Bimb won the best playwright, best director and best actress awards at META '08. Tickets are available at Ranga Shankara.
