The annual jatra of Goddess Banashankari in Badami, Bagalkot district, serves as a vibrant platform for professional drama companies. This year, nine companies are showcasing their theatrical productions at the event.
Umashree's Solo Performance Draws Crowds
Veteran actress, former minister, and sitting MLA Umashree presented her solo play titled 'Sharmishthe' over two days on January 18 and 19. Her performance captivated both urban audiences and rural enthusiasts, drawing large numbers of spectators. Observers describe her effort as a significant bridge between professional and amateur theatre traditions.
Initial Apprehensions and Positive Reception
Umashree shared with TOI that she initially had concerns about audience reaction. "When Jewargi Rajanna, proprietor of Shri Vishwajyoti Sri Panchakshara Natya Sangh, proposed staging an art-play within a professional theatre company framework, we faced a dilemma," she explained. "After careful consideration, we agreed to this experiment just five days before the performance."
She noted that afternoon shows typically attract smaller audiences, but their tent was approximately 70% full. "Since our lighting and stage design differed completely from the company's usual productions, we handled backstage work with extra caution," Umashree added. "We observed pin-drop silence throughout the entire ninety-minute performance."
Audience Engagement Defies Expectations
The actress expressed particular concern about the play's dialogue structure. "We worried people might become bored since 'Sharmishthe's' dialogues begin simply but grow more complex in the second half," she said. "Interestingly, the audience showed greater enthusiasm to listen until the very end."
Bridging Theatre Traditions
Jewargi Rajanna stated that his company is actively working to incorporate amateur theatre discipline into professional productions. "As part of this bridging effort, we planned the staging of 'Sharmishthe', written by Beluru Raghunandan and directed by Chidambar Rao Jambe," he affirmed. "The play successfully attracted substantial audiences at the jatra."
Breaking Perceptions About Theatre Audiences
Laxman Badami, a teacher and writer who attended the performance, commented on prevailing theatre beliefs. "There's a common assumption that artists may transition from professional to amateur theatre, but audiences typically do not follow," he observed. "This production disproved that notion. The audience thoroughly enjoyed it. The performance appeared as a seamless blend of professional and amateur theatre elements."
Distinguished Audience Members
The play attracted several notable figures among its spectators. Minister RB Timmapur attended alongside MLAs JT Patil, GS Patil, and Bhimsen Chimmanakatti. Bagalkot DC Sangappa and SP Siddharth Goyal also joined the audience, highlighting the event's significance within the community.
