Mysuru is set to burst with cultural vibrancy as the renowned theatre repertoire Rangayana proudly announces its 10-day Navaratri Rangotsava, commencing on September 22nd. This eagerly awaited event is a cornerstone of the annual Dasara festival, promising a spectacular celebration of arts and tradition.
During this grand 10-day spectacle, attendees can look forward to a captivating blend of compelling theatre productions and vibrant performances from various folk art forms. This exciting line-up was revealed by Satish Tiptur, Director of Rangayana, during a press briefing held in Mysuru on Friday.
Following the ceremonial release of the festival poster, Mr. Tiptur confirmed that the Rangotsava will be officially inaugurated by Minister for Kannada and Culture, Shivaraj S. Tangadagi. The inaugural ceremony is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Bhoomigeetha auditorium, setting the stage for ten days of artistic brilliance.
Delving deeper into the festival’s schedule, Mr. Satish Tiptur outlined the daily events: enchanting folk dance troupes will grace the stage at Vanaranga every evening at 5:30 p.m., followed by engaging theatrical plays performed at the Bhoomigeetha auditorium starting at 7 p.m.
The theatrical program boasts an impressive selection of plays. Kicking off the festival on September 22nd will be ‘Shareef,’ a creation by Manjunath Bilkere and directed by Shakuntala Hegde. On September 23rd, audiences can witness ‘Novigaddida Kuncha,’ a captivating adaptation of Nemichandra’s novel, brought to the stage under the masterful direction of Vinod Ranga from KAVA, Mysuru.
The diverse theatrical line-up continues with ‘Rakshasa’ on September 24th, ‘Chitrapata Ramayana’ on September 25th, and ‘Sri Timmarpanamastu’ on September 26th. Following these, ‘Kalyanada Bagilu’ will be performed on September 27th, ‘Choorikatte arthath Kalyanapura’ on September 28th, ‘Madari Madayya’ on September 29th, and ‘Jatre’ on September 30th. The festival will culminate with the stirring performance of ‘Jana Gana Mana’ on October 2nd.
Beyond the stage plays, the festival will also be a vibrant tapestry of folk dances and cultural showcases from across India. Performances will feature the energetic Lambadi/Mathuri dance by artists from Telangana, the spirited Lavani and Holi dances from Maharashtra, and the unique Siddi Dhumal dance from Gujarat. From Odisha, we’ll see the grace of Sambalpuri dance; from Kerala, the beautiful Thiruvathirakali and Oppana dances. The joyous Bihu dance from Assam, the traditional Naurata dance from Madhya Pradesh, the lively Rathwa dance from Gujarat, and the dynamic Tappett Gullu dance from Andhra Pradesh are also on the program. Finally, expect to be mesmerized by the captivating Karagam, Kavadi, and Thappattam dances of Tamil Nadu.
Notable personalities present at the event included Rangayana Deputy Director M.D. Sudarshan, acclaimed theatre artist Mime Ramesh, and festival convenors K.R. Nandini and B.N. Shashikala, highlighting the collaborative spirit behind this cultural celebration.