Rangayana artistes, transferred on deputation to Shimoga and Dharwad units, have reported to duty on Tuesday only to continue with their protests by availing leave.
The artistes, who were issued deputation orders on March 16 officially (though the orders reached them on March 21), were reluctant to move to other Rangayanas. The issue was followed by a series of protests, resulting in sacking of director B V Rajaram. They had to report to duty within 10 days, ie March 26.
K H Chennur, administrator of Dharwad Rangayana, and Harikumar, administrator of Shimoga Rangayana, confirmed to Deccan Herald that the artistes have reported to duty.
They said, the process is on to recruit 15 artistes to the Rangayanas, who will be trained in different concepts of theatre, which include make up, performance, back stage and direction.
Harikumar said, the artistes have taken leave till the end of the month and will be returning on April 1. “Suvarna Samskruthi Bhavan in Shimoga has been handed over to Rangayana for its activities. Their expertise will be utilised to train budding artistes here,” he added.
Nirmala Matapathi, deputy director of Mysore Rangayana, declined to comment on the issue and said that the artistes were not associated with Mysore unit anymore.
When asked about ‘Chora Charanadasa’ staged on Sunday by Natana troupe replacing the weekend play of Rangayana ‘Beechi Bullets,’ she said, the authorities felt that the remaining six artistes were upset with the developments and were not able to perform. Hence Natana was invited to keep the show going.
Next Sunday, March 31, she said, Rangashaale artistes will enact play ‘Chikkadeva Bhoopa’, directed by Talkad Gururaj as part of weekend play. “When we approached the remaining Ranagayana artistes of Mysore, they have requested more time to prepare for the purpose,” she added. She said authorities will decide about new director after completion of Assembly polls.
Kannada organisation
Kannada Kriya Samiti, in a press release, has urged the authorities concerned to withdraw the transfer orders of Mysore Rangayana artistes.
It has said, the activities of Mysore Rangayana will be hampered with only six artistes remaining to continue with its regular activities.
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