<p>Theatre veteran, actor and former MLC Umashree has made a comeback to theatre. She plays the mythological character Sharmiste in a one-woman act of the same name, backed by theatre group Rangasampada. </p>.<p>Directed by Chidambara Rao Jambe and written by Belur Raghunandan, ‘Sharmiste’ premiered in April in Mysuru. The play will be staged in Bengaluru on Sunday. </p>.'It Was Just an Accident' Cannes review: Jafar Panahi's latest is a suspenseful political drama.<p>Sharmiste, a princess from Hindu mythology, is the daughter of the daitya king Vrishaparvan. However circumstances force her to serve as her friend Devayani’s handmaiden.</p>.<p class="bodytext">In a conversation with <span class="italic">Metrolife</span>, Umashree shares insights into the play and her character.</p>.<p class="Question">You’re back to performing in plays after a long time. How was the experience?</p>.<p class="bodytext">It has been a good experience. There’s an opportunity to improve with each performance. The format of the play is unique — her (Sharmiste’s) memories shift from the present to the past and to the future. The episodes are not in order. The style is new not just for the audience but for the artistes too. It’s a challenge to pick it up quickly. </p>.<p class="Question">What was it like playing a mythological character?</p>.<p class="bodytext">I began my theatre journey with mythological characters. So it’s not new to me. And this play is not exactly mythological. It uses a mythological character to make a commentary on present day social life — how women’s problems haven’t changed much.</p>.<p class="Question">How do you interpret Sharmiste’s character?</p>.<p class="bodytext">When you look at any woman character and her experiences, the experiences feel similar and lived. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Sharmiste looks at life from the perspective of winning everything through love. Yes, she’s a good human being, but she hasn’t fully given up on all the rage and hatred. The relationship the two friends (Devayani and Sharmiste) share includes love, affection, hate, jealousy, conflict, authority, envy, sacrifice, comfort, tranquility and more. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Sharmiste is also a princess. She gets caught in a situation and has to live her life as her friend’s handmaiden. Accustomed to royal life, she navigates her new life as a servant and experiences many incidents that change her life.</p>.<p class="Question">What are your thoughts on present day Kannada theatre?</p>.<p class="bodytext">There have been many plays and newer experiences in Kannada theatre. But more than that, we need to get more people to watch them. It’s a difficult task. We must work on it.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><span class="italic">‘Sharmiste’ on June 29, 3.30 pm and 7.30 pm at Ranga Shankara, J P Nagar. Tickets online.</span></p>
<p>Theatre veteran, actor and former MLC Umashree has made a comeback to theatre. She plays the mythological character Sharmiste in a one-woman act of the same name, backed by theatre group Rangasampada. </p>.<p>Directed by Chidambara Rao Jambe and written by Belur Raghunandan, ‘Sharmiste’ premiered in April in Mysuru. The play will be staged in Bengaluru on Sunday. </p>.'It Was Just an Accident' Cannes review: Jafar Panahi's latest is a suspenseful political drama.<p>Sharmiste, a princess from Hindu mythology, is the daughter of the daitya king Vrishaparvan. However circumstances force her to serve as her friend Devayani’s handmaiden.</p>.<p class="bodytext">In a conversation with <span class="italic">Metrolife</span>, Umashree shares insights into the play and her character.</p>.<p class="Question">You’re back to performing in plays after a long time. How was the experience?</p>.<p class="bodytext">It has been a good experience. There’s an opportunity to improve with each performance. The format of the play is unique — her (Sharmiste’s) memories shift from the present to the past and to the future. The episodes are not in order. The style is new not just for the audience but for the artistes too. It’s a challenge to pick it up quickly. </p>.<p class="Question">What was it like playing a mythological character?</p>.<p class="bodytext">I began my theatre journey with mythological characters. So it’s not new to me. And this play is not exactly mythological. It uses a mythological character to make a commentary on present day social life — how women’s problems haven’t changed much.</p>.<p class="Question">How do you interpret Sharmiste’s character?</p>.<p class="bodytext">When you look at any woman character and her experiences, the experiences feel similar and lived. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Sharmiste looks at life from the perspective of winning everything through love. Yes, she’s a good human being, but she hasn’t fully given up on all the rage and hatred. The relationship the two friends (Devayani and Sharmiste) share includes love, affection, hate, jealousy, conflict, authority, envy, sacrifice, comfort, tranquility and more. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Sharmiste is also a princess. She gets caught in a situation and has to live her life as her friend’s handmaiden. Accustomed to royal life, she navigates her new life as a servant and experiences many incidents that change her life.</p>.<p class="Question">What are your thoughts on present day Kannada theatre?</p>.<p class="bodytext">There have been many plays and newer experiences in Kannada theatre. But more than that, we need to get more people to watch them. It’s a difficult task. We must work on it.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><span class="italic">‘Sharmiste’ on June 29, 3.30 pm and 7.30 pm at Ranga Shankara, J P Nagar. Tickets online.</span></p>