MYSORE: Curtains for the first-ever national level inter-university theatre festival to be held here is likely to go up on September 17.

Minister for Kannada and Culture H.S. Mahadev Prasad told presspersons here on Saturday that apart from the 13 universities in the State, students from those in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh were expected to stage translated versions of Kannada plays during the festival.

"Stress will be on Kannada plays in view of Suvarna Karnataka celebrations", he said.

The Government had embarked upon the venture of holding the "Vishwa Vidya Rangotsava" in association with Karnataka Nataka Academy and University of Mysore.

Traditional art forms

"The concept was envisaged by the academy in order to divert the attention of the youth who are said to be influenced by Western culture towards traditional art forms, especially theatre. When the concept was presented to Minister for Kannada and Culture H.S. Mahadeva Prasad, he readily agreed and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mysore promised logistics support," chairperson of Karnataka Nataka Academy Sreenivasa Kappanna said. It had been decided to conclude the event before commencement of Dasara celebrations, Mr. Prasad said. The Department of Kannada and Culture was making efforts to revitalise native culture by organising "Janapada Jathre", establishing folklore study centre. The theatre festival was another step in the direction, he said.

Duration

The universities would be asked to produce plays and the academy would select two of them. They had been directed to produce only Kannada plays and students could produce original Kannada plays or adapt novels, stories and poetry for the plays. The duration of a lay should not exceed 90 minutes, he said.

The Minister said that for the first time a platform had been created for rendering of "Ranga Geethegalu" (songs of professional and amateur theatre).

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