Silver jubilee Bahuroopi theatre festival to kick off at Rangayana on January 11

Mysuru-based Rangayana, Karnataka’s premier theatre repertory, is all set to host the 25th edition of the Bahuroopi National Theatre Festival on its premises from January 11.

Marking its silver jubilee year, the eight-day festival will feature plays in 12 different languages, with a special cultural tribute in memory of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Bahuroopi posters were released during a press conference held at Rangayana on January 7. Addressing press persons, Rangayana director Satish Tiptur said the festival will be held from January 11 to 18, during which 24 plays will be staged. Of these, 12 plays will be in different languages. In addition, six children’s plays — three each in Kannada and English — will also be presented as part of the festival.

Noted writer Baragur Ramachandrappa will inaugurate the theatre festival on January 11, while the children’s Bahuroopi Theatre Festival, scheduled for January 12, will be inaugurated by senior theatre personality Rameshwari Varma.

“This is an effort to introduce Babasaheb’s social, cultural and political ideology through theatre, music, painting and cinema,” Mr. Tiptur said.

As part of the silver jubilee celebrations, a special music programme titled ‘Musical Narrative of Babasaheb’ has been organised, portraying Dr. Ambedkar’s life and philosophy through songs. Renowned Punjabi singer Ginnimai, along with Marathi and Kannada singers, will perform at the programme, which is expected to be one of the festival’s major attractions.

Additionally, a special artistic initiative titled ‘Bheemayana’ will introduce Babasaheb’s ideology to children in a simple and engaging manner through paintings and visual art, he said.

Among those present at the press conference were S. Narendrakumar, director, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Research and Extension Centre, senior professor J. Somashekar, honorary adviser Basavaraju Devanuru, Rangayana deputy director M.D. Sudarshan, V.N. Mallikarjunaswamy, joint director, Department of Kannada and Culture, Shashikala B.N., convenor of the film festival, Manu K., coordinator, and others.