JOIN USA peek into plays staged in the past
It is time again to soak up in the glory of theatre art and share the company of the intellectuals to discuss and scrutinise the shows savouring the popular jolada rotti and yenegayi, writes Gayathri V Raj
The theatre circles are abuzz with activity in the city with the ongoing national theatre fest Bahuroopi - 2012. Theatre artistes and lovers are once again thrilled to be a part of the prestigious event.
The premises of Rangayana and Kalamandira, where a slew of programmes have been organised has been well decorated to welcome the troupes and participants from across the state.
While on one side the jolada rotti and yenegayi is attracting hordes of people who wait to savour the tasty north Karnataka dishes, a collection of photographs by Rajashekar Kadamba and an expo of rare collection of signatures and letters ‘-Lipi’ at Suchitra art gallery are also grabbing attention.
More than 80 photographs dating back to 1928 are on display in the collection of photographs by theatre artiste Rajashekar Kadamba at Kalamandira. Various teams performing to the plays written by Jnanpith awardees have been displayed.
The sparkling eyes of the artistes in the photographs show their dedication to art.
When observed deeply, one can notice that the photographs not only display the boundless talent of the artistes and their love for the art sparkling in their eyes but also costumes, lightings, make up that was used decades ago.
The photographs displayed here are both a mixture of black and white and colour photographs and are of blow-up sizes to facilitate viewers to have a detailed knowledge on the stage, property and the make up.
A photograph of the play Nanna Gopala presented by Ranga Kahale shows a teacher imparting education to the pupils in traditional attire. Birugali by Kadmba ranga vedike has a huge lion like structure on the stage which is the centre of attraction.
A picture of Shoodra Tapasvi by Rangayana, Mysore shows women dressed in traditional rural costumes rendering a folk music.
Rare
Rasakrushi by Vedike, Bangalore showcases C R Simha in a black and white photograph, which takes you back to 1950s. A photograph of Kindarajogi with a trail of children enacted by Ranga Kahale team is very attractive and Kisagouthama by Kalasuruchi shows the woman seeking life of her child from Buddha sitting under a tree set up on the stage rekindles your memory of the whole Buddha episode, read long ago.
A photograph of ‘Bhattara Magalu Manjula’ a scene where a woman with a broom and a bunch of others surrounding here makes you think that it must have left the audience roaring with laughter.
It is a well chosen collection of photographs, is the opinion of most of those who visited the place.
Speaking to City Herald, Rajashekar Kadamba who had taken efforts to display rare photographs said that he was given just 20 days time to collect the pictures, which were sent by troupes from across the state.
He had to continuously coordinate with them to make the expo a success, he says. There are 80 photographs displayed and out of them 30 photos are of plays written by Kuvempu, 15 of Kamabara, 15 of Girish Karnad and the rest of other authors.
A photo of the play Yamana golu by city amateurs team has Kuvempu himself playing a role that was staged in 1928, he said.
Some of the plays like Shikara Surya, Agni mattu male, Kakanakote and others are being staged this year at Bahuroopi, he added.