Karnataka's Rangayana branches struggle to stay afloat as youngsters look other way

Kalaburagi: The decline in the number of youngsters opting for theatre as a profession seems to be threatening the very existence of government-funded repertories, the Rangayanas.

All its branches in Kalaburagi, Dharwad, Shivamogga, Davangere and Karkala in Udupi district, except the main repertory in Mysuru, are struggling due to a paucity of artistes and technicians. The number of applicants to these posts has reduced over the years. 

The trend is attributed to lack of initiative by schools and colleges to host cultural activities. Funds crunch in the institutes to pay adequate remuneration is also a dampener for artistes and technicians in choosing to join Rangayana.

On contract

The repertory’s branches have been appointing 12 artistes and 3 technicians on annual contract basis. The artistes get a monthly remuneration of a mere Rs 18,000.

The Kalaburagi Rangayana invited applications thrice this year. Yet, it got only 17 eligible applications for posts of artistes for 2025-26, against 47 it received in 2019-20. The Dharwad Rangayana got merely 16 in the current year against 45 applications in 2019-20, though the city has for long been a prominent cultural hub and home to Hindustani music stalwarts.

Political appointees

Researcher and theatre practitioner Prakash Garud lamented that there was political interference in the appointment of Rangayana directors and artistes would not prefer to work under political appointees with no theatre background.

“Rangayana should serve as research centres, besides conducting workshops and drama festivals to encourage budding artistes. These days, artistes are attracted to other media, where they get higher remuneration. Rangayana should hire them for at least three years, along with extending maximum age limit for applicants from 30 years,” Garud, who had served as Dharwad Rangayana director, told DH.

Shivamogga Rangayana has got 34 applications this year against 88, five years ago.

The situation in Karkala and Davangere branches is no different. All Rangayanas are facing severe shortage of technicians, including in lighting, sound and stage hands, who get Rs 25,000 a month.

‘Rope in schoolkids’

“We are facing a severe shortage of artistes and technicians. We need four female artistes to run theatre activities. But we have received applications from only three, forcing us to appoint all of them. The government should establish Rangayana exclusively for children. Heads of the repertory should visit schools and colleges to create awareness about the activities at Rangayana. This will help attract youngsters to the repertory,” Kalaburagi Rangayana director Sujata Jangamshetty said.

Shivamogga Rangayana administrator Dr Shailaja A C lamented that the repertory was not just grappling with shortage of stage performers, but also facing a dearth of quality artistes. 

“Theatre art is only a second priority for people as they pursue high-paying jobs. Artistes should be paid handsome remuneration apart from giving them job security,” she said.

Better opportunities

Davangere Vrutti Rangayana director Mallikarjun Kadakol said 15,000 to 18,000 theatre plays are performed every year in rural areas, especially during annual fairs, and artistes are attracted to them as they get good remuneration.

“We pay a meagre Rs 2,000 to artistes for a play. The result is a severe shortage of artistes in Rangayana. The repertories should start certificate and short-term courses to train artistes, apart from giving them good remuneration. The government should allot more funds for this purpose,” he said.

Serials & films

Ninasam Ranga Shikshana Kendra principal Dr Ganesh M Heggodu said each year, 120 theatre artistes come out from various institutions in the state, including private repertories, after training and many prefer to work in TV serials and films.

“A few decades ago, artistes used to prioritise satisfaction over money. Now, they look for job security. Also, the number of private and government theatre repertories has increased, expanding opportunities,” he said.