Karnataka has tremendous scope and opportunities for development of theatre, noted Bhagirathi Bai Kadam, well-known theatre personality.
Ms. Kadam hails from Gawadagere village in Hunsur taluk and graduated from National School of Drama, New Delhi. The Director of Seagull Theatre Academy in Assam was in Ballari to preside over the Rangathorana’s state-level Student’s Drama Competition.
Ms. Kadam told The Hindu that the kind of support art and culture was getting from the state government is not the case in many other states. She also said that the state had many reputed training institutes, including Rangayana and Ninasam, which are attracting many youths to take to amateur theatre. Both these factors provide an ample scope for development of theatre activities, she pointed out.
“Karnataka can contribute immensely for the development of theatre. Those involved in theatre activities should thrust on experimentation, use of the latest technologies, giving exposure to the artistes by organising workshops by renowned theatre personalities. This will not just refine talents, but will also result in production of top quality plays to attract connoisseurs,” she opined.
Though the support from the Assam government to theatre is less, it (theatre) is flourishing there. The reason for this, she said, was the tradition of watching plays that still prevails in that state. She said that as many as 35 mobile theatre troupes are active for up to 10 months a year. Disagreeing with the perception that youth were joining theatre institutes/ groups with an aim to move on to television, Ms. Kadam said: “There is enough scope for one to develop his/her own personality in theatre and become successful.”
