A colourful start for 'Chinnara Mela' in city

The annual summer camp, ‘Chinnara Mela’ organised by Rangayana, a theatre repertory, got off to a colourful start in the city on Friday.
 
It has started with a hope to boycott the foreign goods and fight corruption and casteism - a theme based on the inspiration from father of nation Mahatma Gandhi.

The 25-day chinnara mela is based on the theme, Gandhiji this year. Noted Gandhian and freedom fighter H S Doreswamy inaugurated the camp at a programme organised at Vanaranga, the amphi theatre of the country’s only state-sponsored theatre repertory.

The inaugural session came with a special message to reject the multi-national products, corruption and casteism. The guests for inauguration were asked to write whatever struck to their mind on a painting which represented flame (or fire), Doreswamy spontaneously wrote, “Videshi Vasthugalu”, meaning set fire to the foreign goods.

Another guest and writer B R Lakshman Rao wrote, “Brashtachar” - burn the corruption.

Rangayana Director Lingadevaru Halemane scribbled, “Jathiyathe” and called for the end to casteism burning the caste differences within society.

In his address, H S Doreswamy asked the children and elders to understand their responsibility and duties as citizens of the country. The democracy is the power of people. Have the countrymen exercised their power correctly so far,” he asked.

“It is time the public put an end to corruption in the administration and politics through movement that was launched by Anna Hazare in New Delhi. Citizens across the country came out in support without any call. There is need to strengthen such movement against the corrupt,” he added.

He also asked the parents to imbibe principles of Mahatma Gandhi in the children. “The book, Paapu Gandhi, Gandhi Baapu by Mohammed Kuin is a perfect book to educate the young minds on the Mahatma,” he said.

The coming days will witness various activities for the children. About 500 children, including 50 children from pourakarmika families are taking part in the camp. The children will be trained in short plays on Mahatma Gandhi. They will perform these drama on their won besides undergoing various field visits and cultural and educational activity, coordinator Krishna Prasad said.