Mysuru Rangayana to stage drama on ‘Real dreams of Tipu Sultan’

Shyam Sundara Vattam| NT

Mysuru: Rangayana, a Kannada theatre repertory based in Mysuru, is all set to kick up a fresh row. This time, it is over the presentation of a drama ‘Tippu Nija Kanasugalu’ (real dreams of Tipu Sultan) on November 20.

The book in Kannada will be released on November 13 and the drama has been directed on the basis of the novel which is all set to ignite a controversy. Mysuru Rangayana Director, Addanda C.Cariappa is already embroiled in a controversy over the staging of a play ‘Parva’ based on the novel written by Prof S.L.Bhyrappa, which is branded ‘rightist’ by a section of leftists.

“By staging this play, we want to tell the reality about Tipu Sultan, the erstwhile ruler of Srirangapatna. The play consists of 30 artists and the team is planning to give over 100 performances. Preparations are going on in full swing”, Cariappa said.

He said the real incidents pertaining to Tipu have been concealed in history and those facts would be brought before the people in the form of the drama. “I have written this book on the basis of evidence collected from various sources,” he said.

Asked about the need for staging a play in the government run Kannada repertory on a controversial ruler, the director shot back: “Why not? Is there is any rule that such dramas must not be performed?” The staging of the play on the controversial ruler will further anger leftists and others who are planning to hold a protest against the play.

They have opined that it is being done by the repertory director to help the ruling BJP consolidate Hindus in the coming Assembly polls. More interestingly, this criticism is coming from a section of artists attached to Mysuru Rangayana