Classical Sadarame to come alive at Rangayana

Come December 18, big surprise awaits theatre lovers in the city, and perhaps, even across the state. The artistes of the Rangayana are gearing up for a special staging of the play, ‘Sadaarame’ — a classical which was first staged at the Gubbi Veeranna’s  Sri Gubbi Channabasaveshwara Theatrical Company — in the 1950’s and became a big hit among theatre goers.

As part of their experiment with novelty in theatre, Rangayana has departed from its tradition and is hosting a drama, which widely remained as company drama till early 70s. Surprisingly, the artistes have borrowed some of the songs of the play to retain the charm of the classical.

Rangayana would be the third theatre institution to experiment with ‘Sadaarame’ following the original, and then K V Subanna’s ‘Ms Sadaarame’ — a play which was inspired by the original drama — and making of a small play based couple of acts drawn from Sadaarame by theatre personality and former Rangayana Director B Jayashree, who is currently a Rajyasabha member.

However, Rangayana’s experiment would be on a bigger scale to provide the theartre connoisseurs with the same experience that of the play originally staged by Gubbi company.

Lingadevaru Halemane, Director of Rangayana told City Herald that the play was unique as it embodied all the ingredients one could see in a social, historical and a modern play.

There are roles of the King, the ministers, a goldsmith and characters of a thief and a cop too. The play shows the grit of a woman akin to modern woman, he says adding that the play would be an experience with a difference for both the artistes of the Rangayana and the theatre goers.

“We have adopted about 15-16 songs from the original play and provided these company songs a touch of light music to suit the requirements of today’s theatre,” Halemane says.

The Rangayana has also made sincere efforts to go down the memory lane in choreography too. The Bhoomigeetha stage would come alive with mythological, social backgrounds screens like scenes of durbar, a street and a park — through which the play travels.

According to the Director, Rangayana struck upon the idea of staging Sadaarame in the backdrop of people’s dwindling interest in company theatre. The play had ruled the hearts of theatre lovers during the heights of glory of the Gubbi company. Also, it would be a challenge for the artistes of Rangayana to stage such a play.

All the 18 artistes of Rangayana are the part of the team staging the play on Dec 18 and Dec 19. It is being contemplated to stage the play as a weekend show till Bahuroopi National theatre festival begins in February.

About the play

Sadaarame is the original work of writer Bellave Narahari Shastry, who wrote scripts for Gubbi company. The play which was first staged at the Gubbi company theatre, stole the hearts of many and was successfully staged across State in the early and late 1950’s.

Interestingly, harmonium player of then Gubbi company, Puttanaiah, who had also seen Sadaarame being staged, during the reign of Gubbi company, is directing the play for Rangayana.