Passion essential for the success of theatre: Sathyu

Karnataka Nataka Academy honorary, annual awards presented

P. Gangadharaswamy, theatre director, after being presented the honorary award of the Karnataka Nataka Academy by M.S. Sathyu (second from left), film-maker, in Udupi on Tuesday.

M.S. Sathyu, film-maker and theatre personality, said on Tuesday that theatre could succeed and thrive only if artistes and other persons working in the field of theatre have a strong passion akin to madness.

He was speaking after presenting the State-level honorary award and annual awards of Karnataka Nataka Academy for 2018–19 to 30 theatre personalities at the Town Hall here. The honorary award was given to P. Gangadharawamy.

Three books – ‘Udupi Zilla Rangamahiti’ by Padma Kodagu, ‘Avibhijita Dharwad Zilla Rangamahiti’ by Basavaraj Bengeri, and ‘Rahimanavva Kalmani’ by Ganesh Amingadh, were also released on the occasion.

Mr. Sathyu said that it was in appreciation of the “madness” of the 30 theatre personalities that the academy had decided to present them with awards. “If that passion or madness

is not there in you, it is not possible to do a play. This passion should increase and spread throughout our State and everyone should see plays,” he said.

He said that theatre was part of a culture. The government should support theatre as much as possible and remove any obstacles in its way. But the Union government was imposing 18% Goods and Service Tax (GST) on culture, song, dance and poets’ meet. This is unjust. Theatre workers should start a movement against this GST, Mr. Sathyu said.

The Ranga Shankara in Bengaluru had a low fixed rent of ₹2,500 and this had helped theatre groups. “You cannot get the kind of facilities available at Ranga Shankara anywhere in the country. This is because those involved in the field of theatre are running it. This should be replicated across the State,” Mr. Sathyu said.

Muralidhar Upadhyaya Hiriyadka, writer, said the government should provide more finds for the nataka academy as it held wide- ranging theatre activities. There were drama schools providing theatre courses of varying duration in the State. The academy should prepare a uniform syllabus and curriculum for these drama schools.

The academy should give priority for the construction of a Zilla Ranga Mandira in Udupi as a lot of theatre activities take place here. Both Kannada and Tulu theatre thrive here, he said. J. Lokesh, chairman of the academy, delivered the introductory remarks. N.R. Vishukumar, former Director of Kannada and Culture, presided over the function.