The Nataka Karnataka Rangayana, the only State-run theatre repertory in the country, is in the limelight for the wrong reasons. Earlier this week, two of its directors were dismissed following charges of misappropriation of funds and sexual harassment. The dismissed directors are Iqbal Ahmed and R.K. Hudugi, of Shivamogga and Kalaburagi centres, respectively. While the government has attributed alleged “sexual harassment and casteist attitude” for the dismissal of Mr. Hudugi, Mr. Iqbal Ahmed has been accused of misappropriation of funds.
Both the directors have said it is a “conspiracy”. Mr. Hudugi told The Hindu that he was being framed for “exposing financial misdeeds of some people”. However, Ranga Samaja, the governing body of Rangayana, said the dismissals were made after an inquiry report was submitted by officials and the committee formed by the government to probe the allegations.
Describing the development as a “black spot” on the 27-year-old theatre repertory, theatre experts and former directors of Rangayana are holding Ranga Samaja responsible for the present state of affairs.
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Dubbing the sacking of two directors as “unfortunate”, Janardhan (Jenni), Director of Mysuru Rangayana, attributed the situation to lack of guidelines for the Ranga Samaja-policy making body. “Lack of coordination between Ranga Samaja and directors of Rangayana is the reason for the present crisis. The dismissal of the two directors is a setback for Rangayana,” he said.
Favouring appointment of noted NSD graduates as presidents of Rangayana, former director Rangayana and present head of Bengaluru NSD chapter, Basavalingaiah, said: “The need of the hour are visionaries, who can build the theatre movement and realise the dream of Karanth.”