Bahuroopi theatre fest from today

Bahuroopi, an annual theatre fest, that draws theatre buffs in hordes to Rangayana theatre repertory in Mysuru, will begin from Thursday. In its 13th edition, the fest based on the theme ‘Expression, I sing as I please,’ will be held up to January 20, with a mix of plays, films and seminars on the list.

On Wednesday, as a prelude to the fest, folklore festival and expression art workshop began at different venues at the repertory. Beginning from January 15, an array of plays await theatre lovers. The plays will be staged daily at different venues- Bhoomigeetha auditorium (3.30 pm), Vanaranga, an open air theatre and at Kalamandira (7 pm at both venues). Kannada plays dominate the list.

‘Mooru Kaasina Sangeetha Nataka,’ translated into Kannada by K V Subanna and directed by Nataraj Honnavalli. The artistes of Samskruthi College of Visual and Performing Arts, Hubballi, will stage the play at Bhoomigeetha on January 15, followed by ‘Aashadada Ondu Dina’, translated into Kannada by Siddalinga Pattanashetty from the original Hindi written by Mohan Rakesh. It is directed by Jagadish Manvarthe. The artistes of Bharathiya Rangashikshana Kendra, Rangayana, Mysuru will stage the play on January 16.

It is followed by ‘Sharifa’, written by Manjunatha Belakere and directed by Girija S Hirematha. It will be staged by artistes of SVS Rangashale, Samastharu, Harapanahalli, Davanagere on January 17. ‘Kallu Karaguva Samaya’ by P Lankesh adapted into stage by B Chandregowda and directed by Sumathi K R from NSD, It will be staged by students of University College of Fine Arts, Mysuru on January 18.

Chitrapata Ramayana by H S Venkateshamurthy and directed by Manjunatha L Badiger will be staged by artistes of Samasthi, Bengaluru, on January 19.

Before that, Bahuroopi film festival in association with Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy will begin (on January 14) with the screening of English movie ‘Human’ (series part-1, 2015), directed by Yann Arthus Bert- rand, from 12 pm to 1.30 pm. ‘Garam Hawa’ a Hindi film directed by M S Sathyu in the year 1972 will be screened from 2 pm to 5 pm. The venue is Sriranga hall. M S Sathyu himself will inaugurate the festival at 11 am.

Renowned theatre director from Delhi M K Raina will inaugurate the festival at Vanaranga, Rangayana on January 14 at 5.30 pm. Actor and theatre person Arun Sagar will be the chief guest. Rangayana director H Janardhan (Janni) presides. Handicrafts and book exhibition is also organised from same day.