'Bayyamallige' turns 50, telefilm released

 The telefilm version of Tulu play ‘Bayyamallige’ was released on the occasion of its golden jubilee at Town Hall here on Sunday.

Bantara Yane Nadavara Matru Sangha president Ajit Kumar Rai Maladi, who inaugurated the function, said artistes always lead a harder life. They work for the sake of art and enriched the world of art despite their difficulties, he observed.

Maladi called upon artistes to support anti-Yettinahole protest. “The culture of Tulunadu has thrived because of River Netravathi. The local language and culture and River Netravathi are inseperable. Hence, all artistes should oppose Yettinahole project. Tulunadu will become a barren land if the project is executed,” he remarked.
Speaking on the occasion, playwright Sanjiva Dandekeri said ‘Bayyamallige’ has been translated into Kannada, Marathi, English and Konkani languages. The telefilm was shot for 15 days. The duration of the telefilm is one hour and 48 minutes. It is directed by Damodar Bangera and produced by Kishore. S P Chandrakanth has provided the music, Chandrashekhar Bhat and R K have done the camera work, and Tamma Lakshmana is the art director, he said.

The songs, written by Seetaram Kulal and included in the play, have been used in the telefilm as well. The DVD is produced under the banner Jayaram films.

Chairman of Alva’s Education Foundation Dr M Mohan Alva said Dandekeri has written 26 Tulu plays and three Kannada plays. ‘Bayyamallige’ play was written in 1966 and has seen as much as 28,000 shows so far, he said.

He recalled his memories of acting in the plays written by Sanjiva Dandekeri.
Chitranjali, who acted in Bayyamallige play, Telefilm producer Kishore, theatre artiste V G Pal, N V Poojary, Jyothi Rai Karkala and child artiste Disha Ram Bengaluru, actors of ‘Kinnari’ Kannada serial, were felicitated on the occasion.

Mayor Harinath released the DVD of ‘Bayyamallige’ telefilm. Former minister Krishna J Palemar presided over the programme. Journalist Manohar Prasad, District Working Journalists’ Association President Jagannath Shetty Bala, Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy former president Umanath Kotian, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy former president Kasargod Chinna and Jalajaskhi Dandekeri were present.