The cultural hub of Dharwad is set to come alive with a six-day theatrical extravaganza. Rangayana Dharwad will organise the ‘Rangayana Theatre Festival' from January 2 to 7, offering a rich treat for lovers of Kannada drama. Alongside the plays, a special historical exhibition will provide a visual journey into India's past.
Festival Inauguration and Schedule Details
The festival will be inaugurated on January 2 by Venkataramana Attal, the Director of Yaksha Rangayana. The opening ceremony will see the participation of distinguished guests including S Jahangir from Rangasamaja, Ningappa Mudenur of the Karnataka Janapada Academy, and Kumar Bekkeri, assistant director of the department of Kannada & culture in Dharwad.
All performances will commence daily at 6pm at the Pandit Basavaraj Rajguru Open-Air Theatre. The schedule for the theatrical presentations is as follows:
January 2: The festival opens with the play 'Somiya Saubhagya'.
January 3: Audiences can watch 'Gulamana Swatantrya Yatre'.
January 4: The play 'Mahatmara Baravigagi' will be staged.
These first three plays will be presented by the repertory artistes of Karkala Yaksha Rangayana.
January 5: The two-part play begins with 'Kandagallarige Namaskara (Part 1)'.
January 6: The story continues with 'Kandagallarige Namaskara (Part 2)'.
These performances will be staged by the repertory artistes of Rangayana Dharwad itself.
Valedictory Function and Special Exhibition
The final day, January 7, will feature the festival's valedictory function. Following the closing ceremony, the stage will host the play ‘Kaalachakra', to be performed by the repertory artistes of Kalaburagi Rangayana, bringing a diverse flavour to the event.
Adding a layer of historical significance to the cultural fest, a parallel exhibition will run throughout the six days. An exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi and the pivotal 1924 Belagavi Congress Session will be held daily. This display, organised by the Dharwad regional office of the department of information and public relations, will be housed at the Suvarna Cultural Complex auditorium.
A Call to Theatre Enthusiasts
The authorities at Rangayana have extended a warm invitation to the public, appealing to theatre lovers from Dharwad and beyond to participate in large numbers. This festival represents a significant gathering of three prominent Rangayana units under one banner, showcasing the depth and diversity of contemporary Kannada theatre.
With a blend of powerful dramas and a poignant historical photo exhibition, the event promises to be a holistic cultural experience, celebrating both artistic expression and national heritage in the heart of North Karnataka.
