JOIN USNot many keen on Rangayana
Jayashree, the first woman director of the state-owned repertory, resigned from the post within four months of assuming the charge. This is the first time a director has resigned from the post in such a short span of time. B V Karanth, C Basavalingaiah, Prasanna and Chidambararao Jambe have worked as directors in the past.
The post was vacant for more than one-and-a-half years before Jayashree was appointed by the present BJP government. On accepting the responsibility she had said that she would serve as creative-director rather than an administrator. She tendered her resignation alleging that she did not get the cooperation from artistes and the government to run the show. She was also humiliated by the artistes, she alleged.
RDPR minister Shobha Karandlaje, in-charge of Mysore district, was keen on appointing a woman to the repertory. Now she is disappointed with the developments. “I have brought the issue to the notice of the Chief Minister, who also holds Kannada and Culture portfolio. He will take a decision on appointing a new director.”
Theatre artiste Malathi Sudhir, who has been associated with the BJP is now hoping to get the post. She said Shobha Karandlaje’s intention had been to appoint a woman director for Rangayana. “I will meet the CM in a couple of days and appeal him for the post,” she said. “Jayashree should not have given up the responsibility. It was an opportunity to prove her strength,” she added.
Former Nataka Academy chairman Srinivas Kappanna said he was hurt by the developments. His name was also doing the rounds before Jayashree was appointed. Asked if he was eyeing the post now, he said, “I had the wish to head the institute, but after the exit of Jayashree I will not even dream of taking the responsibility.”
Janardana (Janni), a theatre director, said the developments had disappointed the theatre-loving people of Mysore. “Since the last one-and-a-half years there has been no new production at all. The purpose of the repertory is defeated because of these developments in the institute,” he said. Janardana’s name was recommended by Ranga Samaja, repertory’s governing body, in the past.
Janardana said as in any organisation there had been a few problems at Rangayana. Being head of the institute Jayashree should have tried to solve them, instead of giving up the responsibility. Had she taken up a production of any play soon after taking the charge she would not have encountered this problem.