Theatre buffs here will have a rare opportunity to watch landmark productions from the country’s theatre repertoire at the national theatre festival scheduled to commence from January 16 to 21.
As part of its diamond jubilee celebrations, the Kendra Sahitya Akademi is organising ‘Ranga Bharati’, a six-day national theatre festival, and a two-day national seminar on contemporary Indian drama.
Major theatre productions of recent years by eminent theatre directors, including Bhanu Bharti, Dr. Arjun Dev Charan and Hulugappa Kattimani, will be staged, incorporating traditional and modern stage technologies. “It is an attempt to unearth further possibilities of texts and performances, adopting texts for theatre, besides providing a platform for playwrights, actors, directors, technical directors and audience,” Akademi vice-chairman Chandrashekara Kambara said here on Saturday.
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“For the first time in sixty years, Akademi has organised theatre festival of the kind,” said writer Narahalli Balasubrahamaya, Kannada representative in the Akademi.
Noted professional theatre personality Master Hirannaiah will inaugurate the event on January 16 at Gurunanak Bhavan and Dr. Kambara will be presiding. Internationally-renowned playwright Girish Karnad will inaugurate the seminar on contemporary Indian drama and eminent theatre critic Samik Bandopadhyay will deliver the keynote address.
Noted theatre personalities including Mohan Agashe, Naseeruddin Shah, Neelam Mansingh, Nandakishore Acharya, Chandrahasan, Datta Bhagat, K.V. Akshara, Arundhati Nag, G.K. Govinda Rao, Nirmal Selvamony, Sadananda Menon are participating in the seminar and will be presenting papers.
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National School of Drama, Regional Centre Bengaluru, director C. Basavalingaiah will deliver the valedictory address on January 21 that will be presided over by Rajya Sabha member and theatre personality B. Jayashree.
A national seminar on contemporary Indian drama, to be inaugurated by Girish Karnad, is also
being organised