Date:20/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/20/stories/2008032060790400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Annual grants for theatre groups in State

Special Correspondent

It is expected to help at least 20,000 people connected to theatre

Thirteen professional drama companies have
been selected for the grants
They have been divided into three categories according to their years of service

Bangalore: After prolonged deliberations, the Government has decided to extend an annual grant of Rs. 29 lakh for reviving professional theatre.

The decision would give succour to an estimated 20,000 people in the State, who depend on theatre for their livelihood.

Request

On a request by the Government, the Karnataka Nataka Academy has selected 13 professional drama companies for the purpose.

They have been categorised into three sections: those which have been serving the cause of Kannada theatre for over 25 years, over 15 years and for over five years.

The Chairman of the Academy, Srinivas G. Kappanna, told presspersons here on Monday that the academy had identified nine companies based in the north Karnataka region alone, and one each in Bangalore, Chitradurga, Kerala’s Kasaragod and Maharashtra’s Solhapur districts.

The academy had recommended an annual grant of Rs. 3 lakh, Rs. 2 lakh and Rs. 1 lakh for the respective categories.

Hopeful

It was hopeful that the Government would present the funds to the respective companies at a public function on March 27 at Ravindra Kalakshetra here, where the annual academy awards would be presented, he said.

The theatre companies to get the grants are: active for over 25 years: Chindodi Leela’s KBR Drama Company (Davanagere); Sri Kaumaravijaya Nataka Sangha (Chittaragi-Bijapur district); N. Gudugeri Basavaraj’s Sngameshwara Natya Sangha (Gudugeri- Hubli); Sri Kumareshwara Kripaposhita Panchakshari Gavayiyavara Natya Sangha (Gadag); Kumareshwara Natya Sangha (MK Hatti – Chitradurga); and L.B. Sheikh’s Sri Guru Kumareshwara Natya Sangha (Hangal-Bijapur).

Those active for over 15 years: P.B. Rai’s Sri Nandikeshwara Natya Sangha (Megina Mane-Kasaragod district); Sri Guru Vishwaradhya Natya Sangha (Jevargi-Gulbarga district ); Vishvajyothi Sri Panchakshara Natya Sangha (Gadag and Jevergi ); and Sri Guru Tontadarya Natya Sangha ( Mandalageri – Koppal district).

Active for over five years: Film artiste (late) Sudhir’s wife, Malathi Sudhir’s, Karnataka Kalavaibha Sangha (Bangalore); Sri Khasgateshwar Natya Sangha (Talikot- Bijapur district); and Sri Swamy Samartha Natya Sangha (Akkalkot – Solhapur district in Maharshtra).

Replying to queries, Mr. Kappanna said that as reported in a section of the media, he would not seek another term and that he was not willing to head the Mysore-based Rangayana theatre repertory.