Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 24: In an event that combined tribute with introspection, Mumbai’s Kannada theatre fraternity came together for ‘Ranga Samvaada’, an evocative evening held in memory of veteran theatre artiste Sadananda Suvarna, whose legacy continues to inspire the performing arts in Karnataka and beyond.

Organised at the Kannada Kala Kendra’s mini auditorium, the event was jointly hosted by Rangamilana Mumbai and the Kannada Kala Kendra, with support from the Department of Kannada and Culture, Government of Karnataka. The evening was not just a commemoration, but also a critical conversation about the direction and challenges of contemporary theatre.

Acclaimed director Viddu Uchchil, who was invited as the keynote speaker, offered a searing analysis of the state of modern theatre. “A director may be the guide, but it’s the actors who truly take the play to the audience. Sadly, today’s theatre lacks the commitment it once had,” he said. He expressed concern over the dilution of actor training and blamed a growing casual approach among emerging artistes.

“We now choose theatre without conviction. Why is it that commitment is vanishing? Even in Mumbai, only a handful of artistes uphold the seriousness this art form demands,” he added.

Viddu didn’t hold back in critiquing the growing influence of reality shows, which he said were turning theatre into a launchpad for fame rather than a platform for meaningful storytelling. “The real soul of a play lies in its process—before the curtain rises. Today, unfortunately, theatre has been reduced to a spectacle of lights and sound,” he lamented.

He also took aim at media houses, contrasting the visibility of Tulu plays—which heavily advertise in newspapers—with the minimal coverage given to mainstream Kannada theatre. “These publications earn from theatre ads, but what have they given back to the theatre community?” he questioned. Calling for unity among theatre workers, he said it was time to “raise a collective voice” and rebuild the foundation of a strong, sincere theatre culture. “Whatever we do for theatre must be purposeful and clearly defined,” he concluded.

The evening featured a compelling theatre music demonstration by noted composer Divakar Kateel, who illustrated the pivotal role of sound in dramatic storytelling. “Theatre music doesn’t just accompany the play—it carries the emotion, defines the scene, and sometimes even the silence speaks as music,” he said.

Kateel performed selected songs from celebrated Kannada plays, including Ninage Neenu Gelati by H S Venkatesh Murthy, Gokula Nirgamana by Shivaram Karanth, Sambashiva Prahasana by Chandrashekhara Kambara, and Nagasampige, translated by Narayana Shetty Nandalike. He also presented numbers from Bisilu Beladingalu and other landmark productions.

Presiding over the event, Madhusudan T R, president of Kannada Kala Kendra, said, “Sadananda Suvarna was a guiding light in Kannada theatre. Even today, his memory must inspire our artistes to develop a genuine passion and responsibility for the stage.”

The event drew participation from several theatre veterans and cultural figures, including Dr Manjunath, Manjunathayya, Ranga Poojary, Naveen Shetty Inna Baalike, Narayana Shetty Nandalike, Gopal Trasi, Jagadish D Rai, A R Narayana Rao, and Raghavendra Salyan.

Rahin Sachcheripete, secretary of Rangamilana Mumbai, was present, while Manohar Shetty Nandalike, president of Rangamilana, compered the event. The vote of thanks was delivered by Ramesh Birti, secretary of Kannada Kala Kendra.