Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Sept 22: As part of the Karnataka Nataka Academy’s monthly theatre celebration, the Kannada Kala Kendra, Mumbai, staged the powerful play ‘Choukattinacheya Chitra’ on Saturday, September 20, in the evening at the Kalagrama Complex in Mallathahalli, Bengaluru.

The play, which explores the lives, struggles, and social marginalisation of gender and sexual minorities, was performed with intensity and emotional depth by the visiting Mumbai troupe.

Following the performance, a special interactive session was organised by the Karnataka Nataka Academy featuring playwright-director Sa Daya and the artists of the Kannada Kala Kendra, along with Akai Padmashali — a transgender rights activist and a strong voice for the gender minority community.

Speaking during the session, Akai lauded the Mumbai troupe’s effort and the play’s theme, stating, “This play deserves to be performed at an international level. Through more performances, we can confront society's inhumane treatment of gender minorities and spread awareness about their pain and injustice.”

Referring to a poignant scene in the play — where others are forbidden from even viewing a transgender person's body after death — Akai strongly condemned such discriminatory rituals. “Such degrading traditions must end. Gender minorities too deserve a dignified farewell like anyone else,” she said.

She further appealed to the public and the media to stop using derogatory terms like Chakka, Kojja, Shikhandi, Ombattu, and Namarda, and instead use respectful terms such as Jogta, Jogamma, Intersex persons, Gender minorities, and Transgender individuals. “Stop insulting us with abusive words. Respect our identity,” she urged.

Director Sa Daya shared insights into the process of writing and staging the play. The conversation was moderated by actress Jayalakshmi Patil.

Dignitaries present on stage included Karnataka Nataka Academy president K V Nagarajamurthy, Kannada Kala Kendra president Madhusudan T R, poet Gopal Trasi, and academy members GPO Chandru, Jagadish Jaala, Ravindranath Sirivara, and Mamatha Arasikere.

The production was helmed by Madhusudan T R, with lighting by Sa Daya, costume design by Nayana Salyan and Geeta Devadiga, set design by Viddu Uchchil, stage art and props by Ganesh Kumar, and music composed by Divakar Kateel. Poornima Madhusudan T R managed the stage operations, with logistical support from Ramanupragha Caterers, and backstage assistance from Shashi Kiran and Sushma Acharya.

Makeup was handled by Manjunath Shettigar, and the play featured 20 artistes portraying 32 diverse characters in total.