Karwar: Uttara Kannada district which has contributed immensely to the field of theatre in the State, surprisingly does not have any major organisation or association or training centre related to theatre activities. As a result, many talents of the district are not recognised in their home district itself.

“Uttara Kannada has given birth to many versatile theatre personalities, artistes and music directors. But all of them stay outside the district. In fact, a majority of theatre musicians in the State are from the district. But there is no association or organisation of these artistes here,” said veteran theatre artiste Shripad Bhat.

“It has been four to five years since I directed and staged plays specially for Uttara Kannada district. In case, I direct a play for the district, I myself have to invite people and request them to watch the play. Instead, I stage plays in districts where people appreciate creative theatre activities,” Bhat adds.

Shripad Bhat also lamented that there were no formal drama training centres in the district. Some district had two to three drama schools but Uttara Kannada did not have even a single one though it had resource persons.

“Responding to the demand of theatre lovers, many prestigious theatre groups stage plays in the district. But as there are no professional stages, the plays are organised in Kalyan Mantaps which are quite costly. As it is difficult to bear the expenses, theatre activities are becoming rear in the district,” he lamented.

Marathi theatre movement

Kiran Bhat of Chintana Ranga Adhyayana Kendra said that the Marathi theatre movement gained momentum after it drew inspiration from the Yakshagana of Karki Mela. Yakshagana artistes of Karki Hasyagaar Mela had given a Yakshagana performance in Sangli in Maharashtra. Appreciating the performance, the Peshwa of Sangli expressed interest in it and asked the artistes of that region to direct and stage similar show. This laid the foundation for Marathi theatre.

Kiran Bhat also said that the first independent social drama of Kannada ‘Iggappa Hegde Vivah Prahasana’ was staged in Sirsi around 115 years back. It was written by Soori Venkatramana Sastri. The drama created a sort of movement in those days.

“Jayakarnataka Nataka Sangha and Hulimane Seetaram Shastri had come up with many novel experiments in the field of theatre. Sirsi even had a women drama group in those days. In the 80s, the Rajarajeshwari Natya Sangha of Machikeri used to invite directors from Heggodu to direct plays. The Geleyara Balaga troupe which was set up in Sirsi then also involved in experimental plays,” Bhat said.

Presently, theatre activities are active in Siddapur region. Two troupes of Hulimane Ganapathi and Hitlakai Ganapathi and few others are working enthusiastically, Bhat said.