"The excess migration of people from rural to urban areas is not a healthy trend,” opined Dr. H.J. Lakkappa Gowda, former Vice-Chancellor of Hampi Kannada University.

He was presiding over the seminar on theatre & mythological plays on the concluding day of the 6th State-level Ranga Sangeetha Sammelana organised by Karnataka Ranga Parishat at Jaganmohan Palace here yesterday.

Recalling the melodious folk songs sung by women in rural areas during yesteryears, the former VC said that those songs were very meaningful and true to life. He added that theatre on those days focussed mainly on mythological plays with good musical score.

Theatrist K.J. Narayan Kikkeri spoke on ‘Character portrayal in mythological plays.’ Artiste Janardhan and others also spoke.

Valedictory

Delivering the valedictory address in the evening, Prof. M. Krishnegowda of St. Philomena's College opined that theatre was the oldest of all arts and other variants were only derivatives.

Theatre artistes Parashivamurthy of T. Narasipura, Ranga Shetty of H.D. Kote, C.T. Ramakrishnachar of K.R. Nagar, K. Mahadevappa of Hunsur, K.R. Sundar of Periyapatna, K.S. Thimmegowda of Arakalgud, Goornahalli Ramaiah of Channarayapatna, S.R. Jagadish of Sakleshpur, Papegowda of Holenarasipura, Murthy of Alur, Murthy of Arasikere and K.Shivaram of K.R. Pet were presented with ‘Ranga Kousthuba’ award.

The finale wound up with the staging of the play ‘Sri Krishna Sandaana.’

The Parishat Chairman H.S. Govindegowda, Secretary Shanthakumar, artistes Rajashekar Kadamba, R. Paramashivam, Sangapura Nagaraj and others were present.

Inauguration function

On Sunday, the Sammelana was inaugurated by Nadoja Belagal Veeranna and chaired by Rajappa Kiragasur.

Delivering the presidential address on the occasion, Rajappa said: “A separate Academy is needed for mythological theatre and the government should take steps to make the theatre paraphernalia available at affordable prices.”

Rajappa regretted that mythological theatre was going extinct which actually highlighted social and human values to define family relationships. He opined that music of mythological plays were as perfect as classical music.

Nadoja Belagal Veeranna opined that earlier theatre was confined to a good moral story with meaningful music but of late on the pretext of experimentation, theatre was losing its original definition and dimension.

‘Ranga Gandharvagana,’ a CD of theatre songs was released by Puttannaiah. A commemorative souvenir was released by MP H. Vishwanath.

The books ‘Bheeshma Prathijne’ and ‘Mahakavi Kalidasa’ written by Ranga Parishat Chairman Govinde Gowda were also released.

Rajappa Kiragasur was presented the award ‘Karnataka Ranga Sangeetha Ratna’ which comprised a cash prize of Rs. 5,000 and a memento.

MLA M.K. Somashekar, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President M. Chandrashekar, Ranga Parishat former Chairman Dyavenahalli Chowdappadas, writer Satyanarayana Rao Anaji, Parishat office-bearers and others were present.

Earlier, the Sammelana President was brought from Kote Anjaneya Swamy temple to the venue in a colourful procession with an array of folk troupes in attendance.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore