RangaAayama 1
RangaAayama January 24 -29, 2006 at Ranga Shankara
The first ever festival organised by Prakasam in Rangashankara. This was a feast of seven full-length plays. The festival was on from Tuesday, January 24, Sunday, January 29, 2006. RangaAayama proudly presents Bangalore with a multi lingual festival from well-known theatre groups and directors. The plays were Shadows in the Dark, Orchard of Banchharam, Bhramae, Beyond the Land of Hattammalla, Ammavra Ganda, Tunta Robin and Yuyutsu.
Festival Itinerary
- Version one dot Oh!! presents Shadows in the Dark Directed by Krishna (English) on Tue 24
- Forum 3 presents The Orchard of Banchharam Directed by Ronjon Ghoshal (English) on Wed 25
- Navodaya presents Bhramae Directed by Poorna Chandra Tejaswi (Kannada) on Thu 26
- Top Cast presents Beyond the Land of Hattammalla Directed by Divya Raghuram (English) on Fri 27
- Fourth Corner presents Ammavra Ganda Directed by PD Sathish Chandra (Kannada) on Sat 28
- Natana presents Tunta Robin (3.00 pm) Directed by Mandya Ramesh (Kannada) on Sun 29
- Natana presents Yuyutsu (7.30 pm) Directed by Mandya Ramesh (Kannada) on Sun 29
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| Poster of the event |
FESTIVAL DETAILS
Ammavra Ganda (Henpecked Husband)
About the play - Ammavra Ganda
This is one of the classics written by TPK when it comes to drama in real life. Although its set in post modern independent India the characters remind us of contemporary scenario. The play is centered around four main characters Ammavru, Ganda, Yejamanru and Hendathi. The couples are strictly NOT made for each other. The odd couples meet over for a cup of tea and hell breaks down. Ammavru gives a piece of her mind to Yejamanru and Hendathi gives family advice to Ammavru. What happens at the end is to be seen on stage.
Cast
- Surabhi as Ammavru AKA Saroja
- Ajith Handae as Ganda AKA Subbu
- Srinath Vasistha as Yejamanru AKA Narasimhiah
- Chandana as Kamalu AKA Hendati
- Harish as Gentleman
Crew
- Kishore Acharya - Sound and Lights
- Suchitra - Backstage & Production
- Chandan - Backstage Support
Author - T P Kailasam
T P Kailasam was one of the foremost playwrights and writers of Kannada literature. His sense of humour, contribution to Kannada theatre won many hearts and earned him the title Prahasana Prapitamaha (grand old man of humorous plays). Kailasam wrote many plays, initially criticised for modern use of Kannada language in his plays. His plays became very popular, and his works are accepted to be few of the best works ever written for the Kannada theatre in its history. His plays are relevant even to this day and have a huge following among the connoisseurs of Kannada theatre.
Born a Tamilian and educated in Great Britain (his Kai days), Kailasam on his return to India just to work for Kannada. His life was dedicated to theatre and his contributions revolutionised it. His sense of humour and its application in his plays left an everlasting impression on Kannadigas.
Director - P D Sathish Chandra
This is Sathish's second production under Fourth Corner banner. He has worked with several theatre groups from India at different times. After his hibernation or disappearance for three years, the Ranga Shankara festival 2004, put him back in line with his passion for theatre. He still is known for being a theatre critic with special reference to Times of India. He still continues to write for newspapers on theater and related issues.
Group - Fourth Corner
Fourth Corner Production is the dream child of many years conception and practical experience of theatre. This group is a collective of theatre people from different strata of Theatre People. There are directors, actors, technicians, designers, writers and producers who are part of theatre scene for more than a decade. This group strives and works with the old school concept of theatre which plainly believes in entertaining the audiences. To make it simple its 2 E's - To Enthuse & To Entertain. Although in existence from 2001 this group was in conceptual stages from 1995. The early years of Fourth Corner was mainly into assisting other groups with publicity, marketing and back stage. Experience and love of theatre has made its existence a fruitful truth.
Tunta Robin
Open to kids of all ages
Author - William Shakesphere
Director/Adapted by - Mandya Ramesh
Group - Natana
Directors Note
Adapted from Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream, this play will set standards in execution of children's theatre. Adaptation of R N Shastri Kedalasara, was really easy because the narration is similar to the children I worked with for this play. Raju's music is fantastic and keeps all the children in the audience entertained. This is our honest effort towards entertaining the younger theatre audiences who are normally denied entries into auditoriums.
About the play
Tunta means mischievous and Robin is standing example for mischief. He is thrown out of his house because of his uncontrolled mischief. Oberon, the elf king uses Robin's mischiefs to patch up with his queen fairy Titania. The story then runs around the mischief leading to comic scenes around Peter Queens, Bottom and the group of fools.
Cast
- Oberon - Karthik Bhatt
- Titania - Meghana
- Baby - Sishir Bikadi
- Cantbell - Disha Ramesh/Chira Shankar
- Robin - Vikram
- Peter Queens - Sri Harsha M R
- Nick Bottom - Karthik
- Francis Flute - Chandrashekar
- Snout - Sunil/Arvind
- Elf & Fairies - Divya, Sunil, Chandrashekar, Chintu
Crew
- Music Direction - Raju Anantaswamy
- Light - Arun Murthy
- Stage Design - Mandya Ramesh
- Sets - C Narayanaswamy
- Singers - Sunanda Shankar, Lavanya Sunil, Mahalingu, Girija, Subramanya, Murali Sringeri
- Makeup - Ashwath Kadamba
- Stage Manager - Sathish Bikadi
- Tour Manager - Gautam Raj
- Author - William Shakespeare
About the play
This comic shrunk adaptation of midsummer night's dream which happens to be one of the classic comic plays ever written by Shakespeare. Probably composed in 1595 or 1596, A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of Shakespeare's early comedies but can be distinguished from his other works in this group by describing it specifically as the Bard's original wedding play. Most scholars believe that Shakespeare wrote A Midsummer Night's Dream as a light entertainment to accompany a marriage celebration; and while the identity of the historical couple for whom it was meant has never been conclusively established, there is good textual and background evidence available to support this claim. At the same time, unlike the vast majority of his works (including all of his comedies), in concocting this story, Shakespeare did not rely directly upon existing plays, narrative poetry, historical chronicles or any other primary source materials, making it a truly original piece. Most critics agree that if a youthful Shakespeare was not at his best in this play, he certainly enjoyed himself in writing it.
Director - Mandya Ramesh
Born in Mandya and early years spent at Nagamangala, Mandya Ramesh got trained in Ninasam from their first graduating batch. He is proud to be part of Ninasam Tirugata 1985-86-87. He then shifted to Rangayana and served as an actor at their repertory. He has taken Kannada theatre from Nagamangala to New York.
He is now the member of Karnataka Nataka Academy. He is considered as one of the best gifts to Film and TV industry from Theatre. He has single handedly built the group Natana and has done productions like Mannina Gadi, Nagamandala, Alibaba & 40 Kallaru, Agni mattu male, Maaranayaka, Sahebaru Baruttare, Yuyutsu, Tunta Robin.
Group - Natana
Natana's tag line reads "A Search": the search for collective and creative methods to encourage and sensitise our senses... to achieve perfections in Dance, Music, Theatre, Films, Fine Art is our primary goal. We intend to achieve it through our theatre, art exhibitions, Film appreciation programmes, seminars, cultural activities targeting the youth. "Karanta Rangamanae" is our center where we vent all our creative initiatives. Programmes like Children's workshop, theater workshop for adults, bharatanatya classes, light music classes and touring theatre repertory. We encourage one and all to be a part of our endeavor by watering love for the tree of our honest efforts.
Yuyutsu
Author - Hari Krishna
Director/Adapted by - Mandya Ramesh
Group - Natana
Directors Note
Mahabharata with its different dimensions has had relevance to our society in many ways. The depth which this script has shown has mesmerised me for ages. The concept of war and the way it is presented through the play has acclaimed many laurels to me and to the entire production. Characters of the likes of Ranachandi, Ranahaddu, Kaalapurusha which are not probable in practical world still stand out as a mirror to the current day scenario of "To War or not to War".
About the play
The play is about the irrational mindsets of individuals who cause wars. Wars don't just affect individuals it has deep impact on the society itself. When the war-hit woman's brother, a simple challenged individual stands as tall as Yuyutsu himself. The cruel political intentions of gambling Yudhisthira, Somadatta's dilemma of whom to support and the way he surrenders to his confused mind, Vidura who is supposed to be the wise man and all his mistakes, Kunti's selfish intentions hold a life size mirror to what's happening in our world.
Ranachandi (the destroyer) conveys the strong message of building a sophisticated society after she destroys the current, with the war between Kaurava's and Pandava's and the challenged individual who suggests that the society is worse than him indicate the bright future ahead. Suggestively, Yuyutsu too joins the common man by the end of the play, giving hope of a brighter tomorrow.
Cast
- Ranachandi - C Narayanaswamy
- Ranahaddu - N Nagesh
- Yuyutsu - C V Jayaram
- Somadatta - N Nataraju
- Dritharastra & Yudhisthira - Muralidhar N S
- Kunti - Archana B Bhat/Kavita
- Gandhari - Rukmini
- Mad Man - Bhaskar
- Mad Man's Sister - G Hemavathi
- Krishana & Hiranya - Manjunath/G Venkatesh
- Sanjaya - Aadisesha
- Drummer - Venkatesh Tattahalli
- Kalapurusha - N P Vasanth Kumar
- Soldiers & Hunters - Ashok, Raghu, Bhaskar, Anand, Vasnth Kumar
- Children - Sishira Bikadi, Aaditya (Chintu), Nitin
Crew
- Music Director - Ravi Mooruru
- Sets and Costumes - Malatesh Badiger
- Makeup - Ashwath Kadamba
- Stage - Jayaram, Nagesh & Mukund
- Costumes - Archana & Lakshmi
- Lights - Arun Murthy
- Light Assistance - Lokesh Basavatti
- Stage Manager - C Narayanaswamy
- Tour Manager - Ramanand
Author
Hari Krishna was born and brought up in Tirthahalli in Shimoga district. He entered theatre around 1964 from local company theatre groups. He entered Bangalore and has performed many roles like direction, acting, organisation, freelance columnist and also as playback singer. He has acted in Swargakke Moroe Bagilu, Apakariya Kathe, Othello, Kadadida Neeru and directed Aadhe Adhure, Trishanku, Aamani. He has translated Hatya Ek Aakar Ki, Tota aur Maina, Einstein, Teregalu to Kannada. He is also the founding member of Bangalore based theatre group Rangasampada.
Director - Mandya Ramesh
Born in Mandya and early years spent at Nagamangala, Mandya Ramesh got trained in Ninasam from their first graduating batch. He is proud to be part of Ninasam Tirugata 1985-86-87. He then shifted to Rangayana and served as an actor at their repertory. He has taken Kannada theatre from Nagamangala to New York.
He is now the member of Karnataka Nataka Academy. He is considered as one of the best gifts to Film and TV industry from Theatre. He has single handedly built the group Natana and has done productions like Mannina Gadi, Nagamandala, Alibaba & 40 Kallaru, Agni mattu male, Maaranayaka, Sahebaru Baruttare, Yuyutsu, Tunta Robin.
Group - Natana
The tag line reads "A Search", the search for collective and creative methods to encourage and sensitise our senses. To achieve perfections in Dance, Music, Theatre, Films, Fine Art is our primary goal. We intend to achieve it through our theatre, art exhibitions, Film appreciation programmes, seminars, cultural activities targeting the youth. "Karanta Rangamanae" is our center where we vent all our creative preassures. Programmes like Children workshop, theater workshop for adults, bharatanatya classes, light music classes and touring theatre repertory. We encourage one and all to be a part of our endeavor by watering love for the tree of our honest efforts.
The Orchard of Banchharam
Author - Manoj Mitra
Director - Ronjan Ghoshal
Group - Forum 3
Directors Note
This Forum-Three production, translated into English from Manoj Mitra's original in Bengali has Rajeev Gupta, Nilanjan Chowdhury, Sambrita Basu, Gulshan Devaiah et al in the cast. The Play is of two hours' duration with one break.
About the play
This is the story of a haunted garden. The spirit of the late zamindar Chhakori Dutta, who died 30 years ago, wails in the garden cursing the "damned rustic Banchha Kapali" for owning the idyllic garden. Banchharam is now 95 years old, twisted and deformed with age and ailments. The present landholder of the area, Chhakari's son Nakari, strikes a deal with him — as long as he lives, Banchha will receive a monthly dole from Nakori and in lieu, Nakori will become the owner of the garden after Banchha's death. However, Banchha is in no mood to die and gradually he rejuvenates. This twist of events destabilises Nakori, who falls seriously ill. Seeing his pathetic condition, Banchha pines for his own death in order to help Nakori achieve his goal. But now there are people who would not let Banchha die — his grandson and his wife, and a petty thief whose entire family survives on the fruits of the garden. Banchha is now a crest-fallen man, trying to come to terms with these conflicting forces as he sees his garden degenerating into a murky exhibition site of man's base instincts, including greed, envy and jealousy.
Cast
- Late Zamindar Chhakori Data - Ranjon Ghoshal
- Thief - Rajesh Vorkady
- Banchharam Kapali - Rajeev Gupta
- Gupi Chandar - Gulshan Devaiah
- Landshark, Nakori Datta - Nilanjan Chowdhury
- Moktaar, the village lawyer - Supratim Roy
- Hriday Charan, the astrologer - Diptarka Dassarma
- Gobindo, the quack - Rajesh Vorkady
- Padma - Sambrita Basu
- Hontka & Kontka - Srijit Mukherji
- Smt. Datta - Sangeeta Ghoshal
- The Priest - Tamojit Roy
- Villagers - Kanchan Bhattacharyya, Revati Roy, Satyaki Bhattacharya, Abhimanyu Ghoshal, Prateeque George
Crew
- Asst. Direction - Rajesh Vorkady
- Art Direction - Dr. Vivek Benegal
- Make-up - N Ramakrishna
- Back-stage - Nayantara Roy, Revathy Roy, Shruti
- Lighting - Ajit Hande
- Production management - Kanchan Bhattacharyya
- Production Control - Sangeeta Ghoshal
Author - Manoj Mitra
A playwright of extra-ordinary calibre has penned more than 70 plays so far. An accomplished actor and a director of plays, he is at the helm of 'Sundaram', a Group-Theatre in Calcutta. Forum-Three has staged his "An Audience With The King" (from Raj-darshan) to packed houses in Bangalore in 2001. Translation from the original script in Bengali: Ranjon & Sangeeta Ghoshal.
Director - Ronjon Ghoshal
Twenty-seven years ago, Forum Three staged Badal Sircar’s Baki Itihas in the City. On August 30, Ranjon Ghoshal’s vibrant group will revisit the same play albeit in English.
Group - Forum 3
Forum Three, which owes its existence to Ranjon and Sangeeta Ghoshal, will complete 25 years of staging Indian English plays in Bangalore. Forum-Three is a 'Group Theatre' theatre group, based in Bangalore, India. For those who came in late, Group Theatre is what "Little Magazine" means to experimental literature. Lost again? So are we. But, well, Group Theatre is not-for-profit, yet professionally managed, passion-driven, politically incorrect, in-your-face theatre.
Beyond the Land of Hattammala
Author - Badal Sircar
Director- Divya Raghuram
Group - Top Cast
About the play
Two thieves Kenne & Bechhe gowda are fleeing from a village after committing a theft. They by accident land themselves into a different land where there is no concept of money. Here they not only realise what human values are but also realise what is peaceful living all about. The comic scenes of them trying to steal from a land where there's everything in plenty and everything is on barter gets smile on everyone's face. Comical and thought provoking this children play has a message in store for all of us.
Cast
- Kenne Gowda - Harish Sheshadri
- Bechhe Gowda - Amjad Prawej
- Doctor - Kshama Ravikumar
- Person 1 - Abhishek Bhonsle
- Person 2 - Deepak Srinivasan
- Person 3 - Paromita Dhar
- Person 4 - Yashaswini S R
- Person 5 - Shibani S Rao
- Person 6 - Payal Goswami
- Person 7 - Supriya Murthy
Crew
- Production Manager - Deepthy Shekar, Anil, Mithun
- Sound - Kishore Acharya
- Costumes - Jayanthi Marulasidappa
- Props & Sets - Malatesh Badiger
- Music - Pramath Kiran
- Lights- Kodandram
- Design - Lakshman Kabadi
- Make-up - Ramkrishna Kannarapadi
Author - Badal Sircar
BADAL SIRCAR is a veteran playwright and director who has pioneered an indigenous 'theatre of concretization', a theatre (of) natural environment, physical acting, slogans and familiar sounds, documentary material and sustained movement.
SUCHANDA SARKAR is a translator and teacher who lives and works in Calcutta.
Director - Divya Raghuram
Divya is considered the best of the young theatre talents of recent times. She has won over many a fans and laurels from her role in the daily soap Mukta on ETV Kannada. Her talent and command over English and Kannada languages has made her a key link between theatre in both languages.
Group - Top Cast
Top Cast is a five-year-old theatre group based in Bangalore. Founded by Ravi Kumar, Top Cast has come a long way and has produced 15 full-length plays in English and Kannada. Top Cast has participated in several theatre festivals that include 'The Deccan Herald theatre festival', 'Thespo-2004', 'Festival of Camus and Sartre' for Alliance Francaise, 'Third Bell theatre festival'. Some of their famous productions include Hayavadana, Tara, Where there is a will, Nagamandala, Theft, Jokumaraswamy, and Vakra.
Bhramae
Author - G V Shivanand
Director - Poorna Chandra Tejaswi
Group - Navodaya
Directors Note
This has been my dream production since it has all the emotions bundled in one single play. The play has enormous scope for technical stunts which attracted me to the play; especially the approaching train effect is the highlight of the play. I look forward to doing more productions with high technical quality like this one.
About the play
"Bhrame" "Illusion" is based on English small story titled "signal man" about a railway signal man written by late G. V. Shivanand. The main character of the play is a railway signal man Ranganna. He works in a remote railway station, where normally no train stops. The station surrounded by hills, forests and is far away from any human populated area restricting visitors to the station. With the passing years, Ranganna slowly becomes wavy. At times his illusions suggest that unusual but bad things will happen on few select days. His soothsaying days are credited to sighting of a ghost. His sighting always result in a accident or major disasters. On one such illusion where he fears that there will be an accident and wants to stop the train. Remember its just a crossing station no train stops there... Will he stop the train and avoid the accident…..?
Cast
- Ranganna - Poorna Chandra Tejasvi G. A.
- Vyakthi - Vinay Chandra P
- Guard - Pradeep Kumar
- Driver - Prasad K. R. V
- Passengers - Mahantesh, Manjunath, Gurunandan
Crew
- Lights - Gurunandan G. A
- On sounds - Kishore Srivathsa
- On sets - Mahantesh, Prathap Mendon
- Production design - G B Kote Ananth
- Direction - Poorna Chandra Tejasvi G. A.
Author
G. V. Shivananda, a versatile actor hailing from the family of Gubbi Veeranna has made a mark in Kannada film industry. He started his theatre career with children theatre and grew up to join NSD. He made a mark in contemporary Kannada theatre scene with his unique style of presentation. His contributions as an actor, director and dramatist are still cherished by theatre admirers.
Director - Poorna Chandra Tejaswi
Poorna Chandra Tejasvi since childhood has been inclined toward theatre and with encouragement from family started theatre as early as seven. He actively participated in school and college theatre and won many laurels. Some of his important amateur theatre productions are Deepa Peshachi Deepa, Bhrame, Sathavaru Yaru, Halagali Bedara Dange, Ooru Banga, Eeeratri etc. At present he is active participant in all productions of "Benaka".
Group - Navodaya
NAVODAYA (The Nest of Creative Arts), a group of enthusiastic youngsters dedicated to serve the field of theatre, fine arts, music & literature started in the year 2000. The troupe has been organising programs like staging new Kannada plays, fine art exhibitions of young artists & music concerts, ranga geethe, mime sessions etc. They also conduct theater workshop for college students & children. In addition, "Navodaya" has the tradition of encouraging young technicians and in the same regard have felicitated Meetha Mishra & Malthesh Badiger.
Shadows In The Dark
Author - Sriranga
Director - Krishna
Group - Version One Dot Oh!
Directors Note
"Shadows in the dark" is the English translation of Sriranga's renowned play "Kattale Belaku", written in the late 1950s. When I first read the script, it had me laughing and thinking at the same time, and every time I re-read the script something new flashed by…Welcome to the exciting and dynamic world of Sriranga's plays!
This play, in a very witty way, deals with the social crisis of man's growing insensitivity and lack of curiousness to things around him, his closed "mind" to others' ideas. The play also wonderfully depicts the need for "theatre" to re-invent new forms to keep the art and society vibrant.
About the play
Kattale Belaku was a turning point in Sriranga's life. He wrote the play after a long dormancy and finished it in just three days. Kattale Belaku conveys a powerful message. It highlights how insensitive we are to things happening around us, in the society we live in. True to his style, Sriranga does thrust his ideas with a good dose of humour in them. Although there is no story with a beginning or a happy ending, the plot revolves around three men discussing a play and dropping scenes as impractical and irrelevant to daily life, while the very scenes happen around them. Kattale Belaku is ageless and modern at any point of time. Kattale Belaku is being staged in English as "Shadows in the Dark", translated by Sriranga's daughter, Dr.Usha Desai.
Cast
- 1st person - Krishna
- 2nd person - Yashwanth
- 3rd person - Sanjeev
- The face - Ramanujam
- Mava - Avikshit
- Malla - Sandeep
- Humba - Kishore
- Shumbha - Surabhi
- Policeman - Harish
- Citizen - Amjad
- Driver - Kishore
- Young woman - Malathi
- Husband - Ajay
- Wife - Priya
Crew
- Sounds - Vikram
- Lights - Kishore and Guneet
- Costumes - Surabhi
- Sets - Maltesh Badigar
- Production Team - Naveen, Vijay, Mahima, Ramanujam
Author
Born in a small town of Agarkhed in the erstwhile State of Bombay, Adya Rangacharya, better known as Sriranga, had his education at Bombay and London Universities. From an early age he was fascinated by the stage, by the rural stage in Kannada, the professional theatre in Marathi and by Shaw and Shakespeare in London.
His works include twelve novels and a number of scholarly books on the Indian Theatre, on Sanskrit drama, on The Bhagavadgita and a translation of Bharata's Natyasastra; but it was as a dramatist that he made his mark. He has to his credit 47 full-length and 68 One Act plays. His play "Kelu Janmejaya", translated into Hindi as "Suno Janmejaya" and in many other languages has been performed all over the country. With this play, he set the trend for new techniques and was often called an avant-garde writer. More about Sriranga http://www.sriranga-adyarangachar.com
Director - Krishna
Krishna has been involved in many productions since his school days as an actor and in the recent years as an actor-director. He has directed and acted in plays like N Kasturi's "Gaggayyana Gadibidi", Dario Fo's "Can't Pay! Won't Pay!", Mary Chase's "Harvey", Sriranga "Listen, Janamejaya" and "Shadows in the Dark".
"Shadows in the Dark" won the "Young Directors' Theatre Fest", organised by 'Bangalore BIAS' and 'artmantram' in September 2005. Krishna is an alumnus of BITS, Pilani and works as an Engineer Analyst at the Product Group, DELL in Bangalore. He started "Version One Dot oh!" with a few friends who were equally interested in sharing their passion for theatre.
Group - Version One Dot Oh!
"Version one dot oh!" was started by a bunch of theatre enthusiasts a couple of years ago to share their passion for theatre and contribute to this wonderful medium of expression. The group includes working professionals and students from diverse backgrounds including technology, law, architecture, marketing etc and has put up 10 successful shows of 3 plays and most recently traveled to Dharwad to stage 2 of Sriranga's plays. "Can't Pay, Won't Pay", "Listen, Janamejaya" and "Shadows in the Dark" have all been very well received and appreciated by the audiences. "Shadows in the Dark" won the "Young Directors' Theatre Fest", organised by 'Bangalore BIAS' and 'artmantram' in September 2005. The group through its shows has also been supporting social causes by raising funds for NGOs like Dream a Dream and Vishranthi.
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