Kolar troupe to stage play in Columbia

Kolar, July 13, DHNS :

A troupe from Adima Living School (Adima Jeevakala School), started recently in a hut in Paparajanahalli, atop the Shivagange Hills of Teralli on the outskirts of Kolar city, is all set to present ‘Ekalavya Uvacha’, a multilingual play at Bagota in the South American country of Columbia.

The play is based on ‘Ekalavya Uvacha’, by Hindi writer Kuldeep Kunal. It is scripted and directed by Satyabrata Raut, acclaimed playwright and member of the Department of Scenography, University of Hyderabad. The play is also an attempt made by an international project by Columbia to study Indian epics, with assistance from Adima Living School. At a press conference Kotiganahalli Ramaiah, the visionary behind Adima, explained that the play was an attempt to run a parallel between the story of the tribal prince Ekalavya, who cut his thumb at the demand of his guru Drona, and several aspects of contemporary Indian society. Ramaiah has penned lyrics for the Kannada version of the play. He is also narrating tales from the Mahabharata to artiste who will be performing the play. “I have prepared myself by studying the original Mahabharata written by sage Vyasa as well as several other versions,” said Ramaiah. The play will be presented in two forms. The version to be performed in Columbia would have only five actors. The other version would have as many as 15 performers. Shades of India The play would include shades of traditional India as well as facets of contemporary India. Music, which would play an important role in the entire performance, is to be directed by Bhushan Bhat. The five members of the team to present the play in Columbia would multitask doing the backstage work. Playwright Satyabrata Raut would himself play the role of Ekalavya and also plan the lighting for the play. Music director Bhushan Bhat would perform the role of Ekalavya. Singer D R Rajappa, who is also the production manager for the play, will perform as sage Vyasa. The role of Ganesha as well as Arjuna would be performed by Rajesh Kundar and Anjali would play Shakthi and Drona will be played by Charan. The play is multilingual, mainly using English and Hindi. Raut would arrive at Kolar in a few days for the pre-planning of the play. “We hope to present the play in not just Columbia but also the neighbouring nations. The effort to contemporise an epic like the Mahabharata would certainly bring fame and laurels to both Kolar and Adima,” hopes Bhushan Bhat. The expenses to go to Columbia for the troupe is about Rs 10 lakh. The troupe has sought the support of various organisations and associations to raise funds. Efforts to get the support of Department of Kannada and Culture did not bear any results, says Ramaiah. The play was performed at the National Theatre festival in June at Begusarai in Bihar. On July 25, the play is scheduled to be staged at Bagota in Columbia at the El Cultural Teatro festival.