Bahuroopi in Mysore from January 14 to 22

Theatre festival to focus on reliving the works of Jnanpith awardees

Rangayana is set to host the national theatre festival Bahuroopi from January 14 to 22, said Rangayana director B V Rajaram.

Addressing a media conference here on Monday, Rajaram said this year the theatre festival would focus on reliving the works of Jnanpith awardees such as Kuvempu, Da Ra Bendre, K Shivaram Karanth, Masti Venkatesh Iyengar, V K Gokak, U R Ananthamurthy, Girish Karnad, and Chandrashekar Kambara.

The government has released Rs 25 lakh for conducting Bahuroopi this year. The total expense for the event is expected to be around Rs 30 lakh. He said 24 drama troupes would be participating in the event. Of these 16 plays would be based on works of Jnanpit awardees. Eight plays each from Kannada and other languages, two plays by professional drama companies, eight plays by children, two folk plays, one Yakshagana and doll show each would be held. Bahuroopi aims to introduce various aspects of drama to the audience, he added.

The festival would also include book show, photography exhibition, 50 street plays, folk music, film shows and documentaries. Quiz and essay are also being organised for students. Sixty stalls would be set-up at the show. Various handicrafts and eateries would be given the option of selling their products at the venue.

Rangayana deputy director Nirmala Matapathi, artiste Mime Ramesh and Srikanta Gundappa were present.