10 years on stage, but play continues

It was a day of overwhelming nostalgia for the theatre community in the City, as Ranga Shankara marked ten years of its existence.

More than eight lakh people have been audience to over 4,000 plays in 32 languages staged at Ranga Shankara over the past decade, said Arundhati Nag, who built the institution from scratch, giving shape to actor-director late Shankar Nag's dream.
Inaugurating ‘Theatre Alive,’ the programme to mark the 10 anniversary of Ranga Shankara, Lexicographer Prof G Venkatasubbaiah said that youngsters should actively contribute to Kannada theatre.

“There are not adequate plays written in Kannada. Not only do we need more scripts, we also need more institutions like Ranga Shankara. The City needs at least ten such places to keep Kannada theatre vibrant. This is the reason youngsters must take keen interest in the cause. Even translation of plays to Kannada from other languages would help in enriching the regional theatre scene," he said. For its tenth anniversary celebrations, a festival of plays is being hosted at Ranga Shankara from October 28 to November 9. The last day of the fest also falls on Shankar Nag's 60th birth anniversary.

An annual award for ‘promising youngster- a theatre all-rounder’ is being instituted in the late actor’s name. The award, which carries cash prize, will be announced on November 9. Ranga Shankara will also conduct theatre and arts appreciation course during the event. The theatre festival will open with Atul Kumar's “Piya Behrupiya” and will conclude with Naseeruddin Shah's “Ismat Apa Ke Naam.”

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Kannada and Culture, Umashree assured cooperation and funds from the government to Ranga Shankara. A mural created by S G Vasudev dedicated to the institution was also unveiled at the ceremony.