Rangayana to stage all-women play 'Omme Hennagu' on Booker Prize stories

Mysuru: Rangayana-Mysuru, a government-sponsored repertory, is staging an all-women play based on four short stories from International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushthaq’s book 'Edeya Hanate' (Heart Lamp) at Bhoomigeeta Auditorium on Rangayana premises on Hunsur Road, Mysuru, on October 12, Sunday, at 6.30 pm.

Speaking to media persons, in Mysuru, on Saturday, Rangayana Director Satish Tipaturu, said, the theatre production 'Omme Hennagu' (Be a woman once), conceptualised, directed and acted by women, will be staged as a 'Weekend Theatre Performance' by Rangayana for the next five weeks.

He said, 'Omme Hennagu' is based on 'Shaista Mahalina Kallu Chappadigalu' (Stone slabs of shaista mahal), 'Kappu Nagarahaavu' (Black cobra), 'Edeya Hanate' (Heart lamp), and 'Omme Hennagu' (Be a woman once). “The play is woven to expose and question the face of a male-dominated society. The experiment is conceptualised, designed, and directed by Savita Rani, an NSD artist from Haryana, while H K Shwetarani is co-director. Rangayana artists K R Nandini and B N Shashikala will act in the play, the lighting design is by Mahesh Kallatti of Rangayana," Satish informed.

"The 1 hour and 20-minute experiment is a narrative. It will reflect a critical perspective on women's life experiences, questions the dark face of the patriarchal society, and the exploitation of women, and also brings out humanity and compassion," he added.

Assistant Director for Kannada and Culture M D Sudarshan, Rangasamaja member H S Suresh Babu, director of the play Savita Rani, co-director Shwetarani and artists Nandini and Shashikala were present in the press meet.