Regretting over the decline of folk arts and theatre in recent times, Jnanpith award winner Chandrashekhar Kambar has called upon amateur artistes to analyse the reasons for it and take corrective steps.
Inaugurating ‘Ranga Dwani’, a five-day symposium at the Rangayana here on Wednesday, he said while the electronic media and the onslaught of the Western culture had impeded the growth of the theatre, the theatre too should be blamed for its fate because it tried in vain to modernise itself instead of sticking to its traditional style.
The electronic media also posed a threat to the folk culture and theatre as people prefer watching television than going out to watch plays, he said. Mr. Kambar appealed to the people not to lose interest in theatre and support theatre artistes.
Hindustani classical vocalist Ganapati Bhat Ganapati Bhat Hasanagi traced the history of theatre and recalled how the plays were dominated by singers and how singing was the main attraction for theatre lovers. Rangayana director Prakash Garud was present.
