News & Pics from Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (RD/CN)

Bantwal, Dec 18: The ‘Natakotsav’ and seminar on stage plays held at Manchi–Kukkaje, near here, recently in memory of playwright and artiste B V Karanth created a festive mood and rejuvenated the cultural ties of the region with the outside world.

Five plays staged by various troupes in the three days of the Natakotsav, enthralled the viewers. Artistes of Kinnara Mela paid tribute to Karanth by performing ‘Kolata’ to the tunes of his most popular music on the first day of the event and the Natakotsav concluded with the Mahabharat.  

The play ‘Neralina Kote’ was staged by Puttur Nirata Niranta troupe and ‘Nididweepa’ was performed by Tumari Kinnara Mela on the first day. ‘Dum Dum Manganna’ was staged by the students of Government Composite High school on the second day of the Natakotsav.  ‘Gunamukha’ was also staged by Kinnara Mela and ‘Kamsayana’ by Udupi Savitam Koorady on the last day was viewed with awe, as it was a new experiment in stage plays. Lighting and music throughout the Natakotsav was the focal point of the whole event. 

An exhibition of photographs on the personal and professional life of Karanth was also held on the occasion.  Karanth’s close associate Holla successfully managed the entire programme. Artistes arrived from various places to see the hometown of Karanth.

Although Karanth was born and brought up in Manchi–Kukkaje, he never stayed in a single place.  He was comfortable wherever he stayed and respected the locals.  Hence, he developed a fraternity of artistes and friends who arrived at Manchi–Kukkaje from all over the state. Muddukrishna Mysore, Dhananjay Mysore, Harish Mysore, Jayaram Patil, K G Narayan, Rajendran New Delhi, Susheela Kelamane, Dr Sripada Bhat Honnavar, Udyavar Nagesh Kumar, H S Umesh Mysore, Venkataramana Aithal Sagar, and others arrived here for the first time. The seminar was attended by eminent writer Vaidehi and veteran intellectual Laxmisha Tolpady. Kaje Venkataramana Bhat who was inspired by Karanth to act in plays expressed fond memories of his teacher and mentor. A musical concert of play songs by Mysore Chandrashekar Achar and troupe mesmerized the audience.

Village elder Nujibail Eshwar Bhat, humour litterateur Dundiraj, Karanth’s brother Krishna Karnath, Nataka Academy member Dr Kumaraswamy, MLA B Ramanath Rai, taluk panchayat president Chandrahas Shetty Bolantoor, and taluk panchayat member D K Hamza, were also present on the occasion.  The three-day extravaganza of stage plays was well-patronized by the viewers.  The programme organized with the sole objective of inspiring the new generation to take up theatre by enacting the plays of  Karanth, exceeded expectations.