From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Nov 9: As many as 22 professional theatre companies belonging to different parts of Karnataka have been released a grant of Rs 1.03 crore by the State Government as part of the drive to encourage theatre activities.

Addressing reporters in Bangalore on Friday, Kannada and Culture Minister said 5 professional theatre companies have been released grants of Rs 6 lakh each and another 17 have been released grants of Rs 5 lakh each.

The criteria for selection of the grants from the Government is that the companies must comprise of professional artistes and must be at least functioning with regular shows for five or more years.

The 5 theatre companies, which received grants of Rs 6 lakh each are: Sangameshwara Natya Sangha, Gudigeri, Hubli; Sri Kumareshwara Krupa Ghoshita Pandit Panchakshara Gawai Natak Sangha, Gadag; K B R Drama Company, behind KSRTC bus-stand, Davanagere; Sri Kumaravijaya Natak Sangha, Chittaragi, Bagewadi taluk, Bijapur; and Sri Guru Kumareshwara Natya Sangha, Hanagal, Bijapur.

The 17 theatre companies which got grans of Rs 5 lakh each are: Sri Guru Tontadarya Natya Sangha, Mandalageri, Yalburga taluk in Koppal district; Sri Guru Vishwardhya Natya Sangha, Jewargi, Gulbarga; Vishwajyothi Sri Panchakshara Natya Sangha, Gadag; Sri Sangameshwara Natya Sangha, Ashapura, Raichur; Sri Shiradi Sai Baba Natya Sangha, Vitalapura, Bidar; Sri Gurupadalingeshwara Natya Sangha, Humnabad taluk, Bidar; Sri Khasgatheshwara Natya Sangha, Talikote, Bijapur; Sri Manjunath Natya Sangha, Ranebennur, Haveri; Karnataka Kalavaibhava Sangha, Rajajinagar, Bangalore; Sri K B R Drama Company, Kuvempunagara, Davanagere; Srighana Mateshwara Natak Company, Kuntoji, Bijapur; Sri Sadguru Panchalingeshwara Natya Sangha, Humnabad, Bidar; Sri Shiradi Sai Baba Natya Sangha, Humnabad, Bidar; Allamaprabhu Lingeshwara Natya Sangha, Bidar; Veereshwara Natya Sangha, Nalaktavada, Muddebehal taluk, Bijapur; and C S R Drama Company, Gubbi.

The minister said the Government Order on grant of the funds has stipulated that the theatre companies should use funds for revival of theatre activities and the funds must be properly utilised.

The companies should present at least three shows in a year.

The State government has also constituted a seven member committee to study relevance and utility of Halegannada in schools and the society.

The panel, headed by educationist and writer K E Radhakrishna, has been asked to submit report to the Government in three months.

Karjol said the panel would study the method to be adopted to create awareness among the youth about Halegannada and its relevance in school syllabus.

Other members of the panel are: writers K V Prasanna, Mysore; Malleshwaram Venkatesh, Bangalore; V H Katharaki, Mudhol; Ramzan Darga, Bijapur; G V Narayana of Udayabanu Kalasangha; and the commissioner (member secretary) of the Kannada and Culture Department.