Rangayana

Rangayana ( _kn. ರಂಗಾಯಣ) is a theatre institute which operates from Mysore, Karnataka, India. It works as an autonomous cultural institute. The organization consists of a professional repertory company, a theatre-training institute and a documentation and research centre. Rangayana offers courses in stage craft, preparation and presentation of plays in Kannada. It also conducts programs for promotion of Kannada theatre. Rangayana hosts a theatre festival in Mysore every year.cite web |url=http://www.mysoresamachar.com/rang_fest.htm|title=Annual Theatre Festival at Rangayana|work=Online Edition of Mysore Samachar|accessdate=2007-08-11] Rangayana is the only government sponsored repertory in the country.cite web |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/archives/jul192005/spectrum14872005718.asp|title=Right on the cue|work=Anjali Kaiappa B B and Islahuddin N S. in Deccan Herald |accessdate=2007-08-12] It is also undertaking a project to introduce theatre to kids and has created a children's repertory in association with the International Theatre Institute and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/06/13/stories/2004061305490300.htm|work=Online Edition of The Hindu, dated 2004-06-13|title= Workshop on children's theatre from Monday|accessdate=2007-08-14]

History

Rangayana was started by Government of Karnataka in 1989 for promotion of stage crafts and plays.cite web |url=http://www.mysoresamachar.com/dramainst.htm|title=Drama Institutions in Mysore|work=Online Edition of Mysore Samachar|accessdate=2007-08-11] The project was the brainchild of B.V. Karanth and he was appointed as the first director of the institute. He continued in that position till 1995 when "C.Basavalingiah" took over from him.cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1920/stories/20021011005912100.htm|title=A genius of theatre|work=Parvathi Menon in Frontline|accessdate=2007-08-12] "Prasanna" was appointed as the third director of Rangayana in 2001. It was during his time that Rangayana started weekend performances. However "Prasanna" resigned from the position in 2003 due to conflict of interest between him and the Department of Kannada and Culture.cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/2003/10/19/stories/2003101901690300.htm|title= Prasanna resigns as Director of Rangayana|work=Staff correspondent on The Hindu|accessdate=2007-08-12] cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2002/03/25/stories/2002032502490300.htm|title= Resignation final, says Prasanna|work=Staff correspondent on The Hindu|accessdate=2007-08-12] Prasanna had a clash with the Government of Karnataka too when the government decided to cut back on the annual grants provided to Rangayana in 2003.cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/2003/10/11/stories/2003101106380400.htm|title= Govt. move to stop grants to cultural bodies questioned|work=Jyothi Raghuram and K.N. Venkatasubba Rao on The Hindu|accessdate=2007-08-12] However due to strong protests by various cultural bodies the government continued with its grants. "Chidambara Rao Jambe" of Ninasam fame was appointed as the fourth director and currently serving the position.cite web |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/archives/jan272004/spt3.asp|title= New dreams for Rangayana|work=Padmaraja Dandavati on Deccan Herald|accessdate=2007-08-12]

Divisions and infrastructure

Rangayana consists of professional repertory company, a theatre training institute called "Bharatiya Ranga Shikshana Kendra" and a documentation and research centre called "Sriranga Ranga Mahiti and Samshodana Kendra".cite web |url=http://www.rangayana.org/profile.htm|title=About Rangayana|work=Website of Rangayana|accessdate=2007-08-11]

Repertory company started performing two times a week regularly on weekends at "Bhoomigeeta" theatre at Mysore in 2002. Later in 2006, the weekend theatre program was reduced to one day a week citing busy schedule of artists.cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/13/stories/2006051300980200.htm|title=Weekend threatre will be one-day affair|work=Sharath S. Srivatsa on The Hindu|accessdate=2007-08-12] In addition, regular tours are conducted throughout Karnataka performing in different towns. It also attends national drama festivals held at different cities of India like New Delhi, Mumbai and Bhopal.

The theatre training institute was started by Rangayana in 2001-02. It provides vocational training for teachers, social activists and amateur theatre personalities. The institute offers a one year diploma course in theatre. In addition, the institute has established links with the state government and conducts training in the field of communication skills, personality development, leadership development etc for the employees.

The documentation and research institute hosts a library related mainly to theatre. The center hosts seminars and discussions throughout the year at Mysore. A huge repertoire of untapped folk proverbs, epigrams, ballads, images and metaphors can still be found in the center.Bharucha (2001), p74]

Rangayana hosts different stages for performance such as "Bhoomigitha", "Vanaranga", "Sriranga", "Kutira" and an art gallery called "Lankesh art gallery" bearing the name of popular writer and journalist P. Lankesh.

Activities

Rangayana organizes theme based national festivals that receive good response and attracts enthusiasts from all over the country. Theatres groups performing in different Indian languages and a troupe from abroad take part in the festival every year. Festival also hosts handicrafts exhibition, book exhibition, art exhibition, food festival, seminar and interaction with leading theatre personalities.

In order to reach people all over Karnataka, repertory conducts annual tours to different towns in the state which is called "Ranga Yatre".cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/19/stories/2007011907700500.htm|title= Who said Rangayana serves only Mysore?|work=Staff correspondent on The Hindu|accessdate=2007-08-11]

ee also

* B. V. Karanth

Notes

References

* Rustom Bharucha, The Politics of Cultural Practice: Thinking Through Theatre in an Age of Globalization, Wesleyan University Press; 1st edition (October 1, 2000) ISBN-10: 0819564249, ISBN-13: 978-0819564245