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Artists representing the Shivamogga unit of Samudaya, a progressive theatre group, staged Nirolagana Kichchu, a play that brought alive the significant events of Indian street theatre. The play, staged on Saturday as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of Samudaya, was a tribute to Safdar Hashmi, playwright and theatre director, who was attacked by goons during a performance in Delhi on January 1, 1989. He succumbed to injuries the next day. His partner Moloyashree chose to stage the interrupted play at the same place within 48 hours of Hashmi’s death. The event remains one of the most important performances of a street play in the country. Nirolagana Kichchu, directed by Sasvehalli Sathish, begins with the story of the attack on Safdar Hashmi. The performance of the actors sets the mood of the audience with a fair introduction to the playwright. The performance handles the relationship between the master and the servant, the rich and the poor, and haves and have-nots. The play leaves the audience with questions, and compels them to think about whom to take a stand for. At times, it serves as commentary on current politics, politicians, and swamiijs, among others. It also takes a stand against blind faith and practices. Well-trained actors Chandrashekhar Shastry, who plays the role of the master, and Chandrashekhar Hiregonigere, the actor playing the servant, won the hearts of the audience. Ganesh Sahyadri, Shruthi Adarsha, and others in the troupe also impressed the audience with their performances. The director has used songs, including those written by Siddalingaiah and Mudnakudu Chinnaswamy, which struck a chord with the audience. Mr. Sathish said that the play served the occasion of Samudaya’s golden jubilee celebrations aptly, as it dealt with the themes with which the group began in 1975. The three-day festival, which began on Friday, November 7, was organised by Samudaya Shivamogga with the support of Karnataka Nataka Academy, the Kannada and Culture Department, and the Shivamogga Rangayana. On the first day, the Nenapu Cultural and Educational Charitable Trust in Bengaluru staged the play Mayadveepa, based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The festival concluded on Sunday, with the staging of Charuvasantha, a play written by Kamala Hampana. Alvas Ranga Shikshana Kendra staged the play, directed by Jeevan Ram Sullya.
