The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : Oriya theatre transcends regional boundaries

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Monday, Sep 10, 2007
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Oriya theatre transcends regional boundaries

Correspondent

BHUBANESWAR: It’s the time for celebrations for the Department of Drama of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, said to be one of the Asia’s oldest institution of performing arts in the State capital city. Reason being: its troupe will represent the State at the National University Theatre Festival at Rabindra Kalakshetra in Bangalore on September 20.

The troupe will be staging the Oriya version of eminent Kannada playwright and actor Girish Karnad’s play ‘Nagamandal’, informed its director Nihar Nalini Nayak, a faculty member.

Karnataka Natak Akademi, University of Bangalore and University of Mysore are jointly hosting of the major event that would feature 25 plays in various Indian languages, based on Kannada literature, he explained.

“Other States should also emulate Karnataka’s commendable initiatives to promote Kannada literature through translation and showcasing their great works in other Indian languages through theatre, felt Oriya translator and faculty member Sukesh Panda.

The 90-minute intricate play would have an Oriya touch, said the director. “We have harmoniously blended the elements of classical and folk dances of Orissa into the play.

One can observe the wide use of chaste Oriya language in it,” he added.

The 25-member troupe includes 18 actors.

Niranjan Acharya is being cast as the writer in the play, Dusmanta Pati, Rashmita Das, Lalatendu Panigrahi and Bijayini Mishra will act as Apanna, Rani, Kappanna and Kurudawa respectively.

The college represents the Utkal University of Culture, probably the first institution of its kind in India.

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