Rangayana director asked to quit

In a late evening development on Friday, Rangayana director B V Rajaram was relieved of his duties with immediate effect. K R Ramakrishna commissioner for Kannada and Culture department has been appointed in place of Rajaram.

The development came as a shock to the artistes of the repertory whose protest against the transfer of 12 of their colleagues to two different repertories; Dharwad and Shimoga entered second day on Friday. Enraged, the artistes staged a flash stir along with Rajaram in front of the office of deputy commissioner. They condemned the action against Rajaram for taking their side in opposing the transfer strongly. A memorandum was submitted to Governor Hans Raj Bhardwaj through deputy commissioner Ramegowda.

Rajaram told Deccan Herald that he would launch a struggle against the department’s decision. He said that he had been targeted for raising voice for the sake of artistes.
Rajaram had been appointed as Rangayana director on September 11, 2011. However, he was shown the exit sign after one-and-a-half years of service, against the four year term of the director.

Rajaram was among the delegation of artistes who had pressed for action against K R Ramakrishna and deputy director of Rangayana Nirmala Matapathi for acting with ulterior motives in transferring the artistes, ignoring the election code of conduct.

To move HC

Rangayana artistes who have been transferred have decided to file a  petition against the decision at High Court. This was decided at a meeting of like-minded people held at the repertory. It was also decided to form a coordination committee of litterateurs and artistes and invite Rangayana officers for talks. The officers will also be convinced to rethink on the decision to transfer.