A slice of desi art sways over all

Sampada Parshe-2012; four-day theatre fest begins in city; entry free for events

‘Sampada Parshe 2012’, a four-day theatre fest on Thursday got off to a desi start introducing culture and tradition of the land to the art buffs.

Pichchalli Srinivas and troupe set the mood, belting out folk songs instantly striking a chord with the audience. It was an apt start paying obeisance to the elders, rendering ‘Sharanayya Sharanu...’ It was followed by ‘Guruve ninnaata...’ Co-singer Ratna Sakleshpura rendered ‘Hunja bandaithe thangi...’ Then came ‘Jakkanaka...’, which swayed over the audience with its foot tapping music.

The audience too reciprocated clapping in chorus keeping the tempo. Another singer Ravindra Doddamaleyur sang ‘Channi nin ganda balu jaanane...’

What made it, especially the song ‘Thingalu mulagidavo, rangoli belagidavo...’, strike the chord was its timing. As informed to the gathering by Pichchalli Srinivas, the song highlights the water bodies and none could know it better than the lead singer himself who hails from Kolar that was once known for its abundant natural resources. It pays a fitting tribute to the elders who took pains to construct ponds, canals and streams for the benefit of others.

Sri Krishna Parijata, another oldest form of art from Mallikarjuna Mudakavi and troupe from Dadanatti, captivated art lovers with its touch of humour. ‘Krishna Fusion’ by Praveen Godkhindi and troupe at Dr Gangubai Hanagal stage at Vanaranga and all-time hit drama ‘Sadarame’ at Peer Saab stage (inside Kalamandira) made the audience twitch — unable to make a choice between the two. They had a simultaneous start.

The area in front of the Kalamandira had come alive with cultural programmes, with Kaujaligi Ningavva stage erected for the purpose. It promises to remain alive till November 25, the day the feast comes to an end.

Earlier, doyen of theatre Enagi Balappa unveiled the bust of Goddess Gowri inaugurating the fest, while G S Jaidev from Deena Bandhu Trust, Chamarajanagar, pulled the curtains off the logo of  the theatre fest by Spandana troupe of B Jayashri, the brain behind the fest. A procession of cultural troupes from Kote Anjaneya Swamy temple premises in the north gate of the Palace to Kalamandira attracted the passersby.

Today’s schedule

Talk on the doyen of theatre — Varadachar, Sriranga, 10 am. Sudheendra Sharma and M G Nagaraj resource persons, Na Damodar Shetty interpreter. Basavarajappa Neelappa Hadagali and troupe will render ‘Gee gee pada’, in front of Kalamandira, 5 pm.

‘Nazarana Laavaneecha’ by Santosh Kolhe from Pune, 6 pm. Assami play ‘Kine Kon’ (multilingual), by Dapon D Mirror, directed by Pabitra Rabha, Kalamandira, 7 pm. Sufi and khayyal-jugalbandi, artistes Sumathi and Srividya troupe, Vanaranga, 7 pm.