Jnanpith awardee U R Ananthamurthy said on Tuesday that theatre could play a major role in creating awareness among people and help reduce crimes such as the recent gang-rape in Delhi.

The writer was delivering the presidential address at the opening session of Bahuroopi, a week-long national theatre festival organised by Rangayana in the city. Ananthamurthy said that the Delhi incident happened because of the death of emotions among people.

Delving on ‘Jeeva Jala Jeevana’ (water is life), the theme of the theatre fest, Ananthamurthy said on a sarcastic note: “Earlier, whenever it poured, it was attributed in general to the deeds of a ‘punyavantha’ (good hearted man). If politicians become ‘punyavanthas’, we can expect more rains,” he said.

“The time has come to question ourselves on the type of development. In the name of industrialisation and development, water, the source of life, has been polluted with effluents. In Bangalore, the lakes have vanished, paving the way for sites, Water is now the product of multi-national companies, who offer it in the form of ‘bottled’ water,” he added and suggested that Rangayana find a solution to the water crisis instead of just focusing on the theme.

Interacting with cine lovers after the screening of his movie ‘Bara’ (Drought), a Bahuroopi feature, noted filmmaker M S Sathyu said, “The story is still relevant, with the interests of politicians overriding people’s woes.”

Sathyu described the Delhi gang-rape incident as a cause which has galvanised young people. He described Pakistani education activist Malala as an epitome of women’s education.

District incharge minister S A Ramdas was present on the occasion.