Parva, Mookana Makkalu plays have cash register ringing for Rangayana in Mysuru

Shilpa P | NT

Mysuru: While all other sectors suffered due to covid, Rangayana of Mysuru has earned revenue of over Rs 80 lakh in the past two years, especially from shows of new plays it produced during the pandemic, including ‘Parva’ and ‘Mookana Makkalu’, according to Rangayana director, Addanda C Cariappa.

The nationally and internationally acclaimed 33-year-old theatre that has been the cultural custodian of the culture capital of the State is keeping our rich culture of theatre alive in the young and old alike, even if it is functioning from the cellar of the Kalamandir auditorium. The three-fourths acre campus behind Kalamandir on Hunsur road in Mysuru has been bustling with activity unlike others.

The demand of theatre artistes and lovers for four acres of additional space at Rangayana for its activities has remained unfulfilled for long. Besides the aspiration for land, the director has sought Rs 50 lakh additional annual grants in the forthcoming State budget for its growing activities, besides maintenance of its professional repertory, staff, artistes, four theatres including Bhoomigeetha, Vanaranga, Sriranga and B V Karanth Rangachawadi, fests, theatre training institute Bharathiya Ranga Shikshana Kendra and other expenses.

“Even amid the covid, activities of Rangayana including training, production and shows of plays, shows of folk art performances and others have gone uninterrupted. In fact, Rangayana is seeing more and more youngsters and our revenue has gone up in the last two years. We earned Rs 40 lakh in 2020 and Rs 38 lakh in 2021 from mainly shows of our plays, especially our new ones ‘Parva’ and ‘Mookana makkalu’, which took shape amid the covid. With our eight-hour-long new play ‘Parva’ (which includes 35 artistes and three musicians) alone, Rangayana earned revenue of Rs 17 lakh,” Cariappa told News Trail.

“After its huge success, artistes of ‘Parva’ are now touring 20 districts of the State and even giving shows across the country including in Nagapura, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Chandigarh and Delhi,” Cariappa added.

After the gloom of covid, it is now time for Mysureans to enjoy the cultural extravaganza of various folk art forms from different parts of the State, featuring colourful rich music and rhythmic dance reflecting the rich cultural ethos of the State, right here in Rangayana.

As a prelude to the tenday Bahuroopi National Theatre Festival that will begin from March 11, Rangayana is all set to host ‘Janapara Utsava-Rangayanadalli Janapararu’ wherein over 50 teams including 900 artistes from different parts of the State who suffered a huge blow due to covid are being provided the opportunity to perform various folk art forms at Vanaranga and B V Karantha Rangachaavadi at Rangayana premises in Mysuru on March 5 and 6.

Rangayana, which unveils a different world, especially during fests like Bahuroopi National Theatre Festival, pulling thousands of connoisseurs each day, is seeking additional land since long. They sought two acres of land from the University of Mysuru besides its premises, and also three acres of land opposite Kalamandira, wherein office of the regional commissioner is located.

It was in 1989, when Karnataka-based noted visionary theatre personality, B V Karanath was returning from Bhopal that then chief minister of Karnataka Ramakrishna Hegde got in touch with him to promote theatre culture in the State, which led to the birth of Rangayana in Mysuru.

Rangayana since then has produced several noted artistes through its theatre training institute, produced several plays through its professional repertory. It is promoting and keeping the taste of culture of theatre alive in old and young alike, by holding round-the-year theatre festivals including Bahuroopi National Theatre Festival, Navarathri Rangotsava, BV Karantha Rangotsava, besides weekend shows in its own premises.

It has given opportunities to sexual minorities and has taken theatre to jails to transform inmates. It is promoting the taste for theatre among the new generation through Chinnara melas (summer camp) for children, and College Rangothsavas.

Rangayana is also a platform for thinkers, and it takes up contemporary issues as themes for its festivals. It even takes up social causes, including creating awareness through their street plays. It has also given a platform for folk artists to perform folk art forms on.