Popular among people as Dattanna, senior actor and theatre artiste H. G. Dattatreya is in Mysore City to be a part of Bahuroopi theatre festival. Speaking to our Correspondent, he shared his views on Bahuroopi, Rangayana and its artistes.

Excerpts:

Rangayana has completed 23 years. What should its purpose and goals be for the future?
Rangayana is the dream of Karanth. With this purpose, Rangayana should work with a social cause. This repertory is a pride of our country. Like how CGK became the face of protest against injustice in Belgium, Rangayana should also be a social movement and its artistes should know their responsibility as the ambassadors of the movement.

Rangayana is being split into three parts and the artistes are being separated to be sent to each of the parts. Is this move right?
Not at all. This move is like shattering Karanth's dream. Previously, a new Rangayana was to be built at Dharwad and Gulbarga but it was shifted to Shimoga for political reasons. The Rangayana built by Karanth should remain untouched. Let the new Rangayana highlight the art and culture of their respective regions but this Rangayana should not be broke for that purpose. Are the artistes government employees to be transferred from one Rangayana to the other?

Senior actor and theatre artiste H. G. Dattatreya.

Then how should the new Rangayanas be?
The new Rangayanas should be independent. City's Rangayana is an autonomous institute. Let the government fund it but not rule it. Let the artistes have freedom to do their work. Don't disturb a repertory which has been doing commendable work by sending them to the new Rangayanas. It is a surprise how an agreement was reached on breaking Rangayana and splitting its artistes.

What will be the future of Rangayana artistes?
These artistes have been moulded by Karanth 23 years ago. Their life has been dedicated to the growth of theatre. They have not got commercialized by migrating to cinema and serials. Their dedication is worth appreciation. Also they cannot survive if sent elsewhere. If this is done, it will be the destruction of Rangayana and its artistes. If the government treats them as its employees, they will lose the strength to fight injustice and will not be able to respond to social causes. The government is making a huge mistake. Leave the issues of past behind. Begin an open discuss on the issue again. Let the salary and pension of the artistes be given from the funds.

Your views about Jnanpith Rangothsava…
Doing a theatre festival with Jnanpith awardees as the main theme is a great challenge and has increased its reach. Drama, theatre songs, street plays, folk dances have all come together. For the first time Rangayana has gone to colleges and this is a big step forward in shaping the personalities of students.

Bahuroopi is a National festival and every year International - level dramas were being staged here. Some of the rare dramas would be staged here for the audience. But this is not happening in the present festival. Confining only the seminars to the theme, freedom must have been given for the selection of plays. If this was done, may be they would be able to offer a wider variety of plays. Bahuroopi should be like a cultural camp and its work must be continuous. The organisers should pay attention to strengthening such festivals.

Courtesy: Star of Mysore