Bahuroopi unfolds from today

Ranagayana is all set to float successfully in water for present year’s Bahuroopi national theatre festival-2013 beginning from January 8. The event this year assures spreading colours along with touch of literature about life, water and their relationship with concept of ‘jiva-jala-jivana.’

The idea originally wants to create awareness among people about utilisation and wastage of water. Theatrical forms used for the purpose will be an added advantage.
Preparations which were on at a  brisk pace at the premises of Ranagayana and Kalamandir on Monday had involved people irrespective of age and designations. Artistes in group- big and small ones to be erected on the premises. Sriranga, Bhumi Geetha, Vanaranga and Kalamandir are getting ready in their own way with artists decorating them for theatrical activities beginning from Tuesday.

25th anniversary

The present year’s speciality being 25th anniversary of Rangayana, the Bahuroopi is all set for the celebration with ‘Ranga Yana.’ As many as 18 artistes among 25 who were handpicked by then director of Rangayana B V Karanth, will be part of the events this year.

Rangayana director B V Rajaram speaking to Deccan Herald recollects that the 25 candidates were selected interviewing 800 candidates in three stages. They all are above 55 years of age now and will partake in activities.

Theme

The concept ‘jiva-jala-jivana’ will concentrate on role of water in life of organisms on earth. Body of man consists 80 per cent of water, earth’s major portion is covered with water and researches are carried on to find out water on Mars, says Rajaram and does not forget to note that the rain water is neglected. Nature’s miracle lies in converting the salt water of sea into sweet rain water.

The events will have exhibition of water, posters on the same theme, drawing competition for school students and poem writing for college students. About 60 street plays will be performed by seven troupes of Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Kodagu and Mysore.

The plays will be staged in urban areas as well as many hoblis of Mysore district. The troupes will continously strive to create awareness among mass in their own theatrical form for 14 days.

Apart from that documentary ‘journey with river Cauvery’ of artist Bhavani and other national level movies will also be displayed. Seminar on water will also be held on the occasion.

Stalls

There will be about 50 stalls on the premises to sell books, food items and others to cater to everyone’s needs.

Writer Nanda Halemane who has volunteerly taken responsibility of drawing shimmering rangolis on the premises to add colour to the fest, sharing her experiences, says, she drew rangoli two years back for Bahuroopi along with just four other members then. But this year nearly 12 of them have joined hands with her.

Six of them being college students and other six elderly women, she hopes to colour the feat with mixture of modernity and tradition.

A total of 10 rangolis will be drawn everyday on premises to welcome people. They will be decorated with flowers and lamps.

Sharon, third year student of BFA at Chamarajendra Government College of Visual Arts (CAVA) is glad to be part of the team with Nanda Halemane.

Senior artiste and director Mime Ramesh, says, the exhibition of Ranga Yana will have more than 600 posters and photographs of plays will be on display.

The display will have  posters of yester years related to theatre.

In all, the fest assures the combination of all forms of theatre under a single roof for theatre lovers of the  city of Mysore.