The Hindu : Karnataka News : ‘Theatre in education’ suffers setback

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 31, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Karnataka

Karnataka

‘Theatre in education’ suffers setback

Special Correspondent

Order issued terminating services of actors at Rangayana Dharwad

Rangayana in Dharwad is on its last lap. Photo shows bullock carts lined up on Rangayana premises for the recent zilla utsav.

SHIMOGA: The Union Government’s plan to introduce theatre in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) syllabus seems to have suffered a setback with the closure of Rangayana, a theatre repertory in Dharwad, following the termination of the services of actors working there.

Rangayana Dharwad is one of the only two prestigious institutes in the country engaged in imparting courses in theatre in education — the other being the Theatre in Education Institute which is part of the National School of Drama (NSD) of New Delhi.

Prasanna, theatre activist, who was instrumental in bringing Rangayana to Dharwad, has said, “Rangayana’s closure will prove to be disastrous as far as theatre training in north Karnataka region is concerned.”

Talking to The Hindu on Tuesday, Mr. Prasanna, who is the national convener of Abhivyakti Abhiyan, said that the Government had suddenly and unilaterally terminated the services of the actors working at Rangayana Dharwad (taking effect on December 31).

He said that the institute had been neglected as it had neither an independent structure nor budgetary allocation with none to head it.

“With this new development, Rangayana Dharwad is likely to be closed down,” he said.

He said, “Apart from being a theatre repertory, Rangayana Dharwad is meant to be a specialised institute in the field of educational theatre, which is an independent social need as it helps primary and secondary education.”

It was shocking to know how a premier institute was being closed down, Mr. Prasanna said and added that there were reports that funds provided by a foreign development agency for developing educational theatre to private groups or individuals were being misused.

He demanded that the termination of services of the actors be withdrawn forthwith and an inquiry into the affairs of the Department of Kannada and Culture that led to this development be ordered.

He urged the Government to make Rangayana Dharwad an autonomous body with a provision for sufficient funds to help it conduct programmes in educational theatre effectively.

Mr. Prasanna said that the stoppage of Swedish funds had led to the virtual closure of Rangayana Dharwad as there had been no word yet from the Department of Kannada and Culture as to what would be its plan to sustain it by ensuring adequate funds for it.

He said that the institute had been temporarily located on the premises of the Open Air Theatre in Dharwad which belongs to the Hubli-Dharwad City Municipal Corporation.

Mr. Prasanna said that the institute which started functioning with nearly 20 artistes was left with only four when the termination orders were issued.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka