‘Nirdiganta’ expands to coastal Karnataka; theatre initiative to be launched in Udupi on January 18
Udupi: After making a mark in Mysuru through continuous theatre activity over the past two-and-a-half years, theatre collective ‘Nirdiganta’ is set to expand its presence to coastal Karnataka, with the launch of ‘Karavaliya Nirdiganta’ in Udupi on January 18.
Addressing a press conference at the Udupi Press Club on Wednesday, theatre practitioner and actor Prakash Raj, one of the founders of Nirdiganta, said the initiative aims to take theatre closer to people through regular performances, workshops and interaction with audiences.
He said the coastal edition of Nirdiganta will feature a three-day programme comprising children’s plays, an educational theatre workshop and stage productions by different theatre groups. All events will be held from January 18 to 21 at the IYC auditorium of Yakshagana Kalaaranga.
“Nirdiganta began in Srirangapatna and has now come to the coast seeking a new bond with theatre lovers here. Let us watch plays together, talk, and share experiences,” Prakash Raj said.
Children’s plays and workshop on opening day
On the first day, January 18, three children’s plays, an educational theatre workshop and the inaugural ceremony will be held.
From 10.30 am to 11.45 am, students of Aruru Morarji Desai Residential School will stage the play Mruga Mattu Sundari, directed by Bindu Rakshidi. This will be followed by the science-based children’s play Curious by students of Karnataka Public School, Kokkarne, from 12.30 pm to 1 pm. The play, which has won a state-level award recently, is written by Varadaraj BirtI and directed by Rohith S. Baikadi.
An educational theatre workshop will be held from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm, where teachers from the coastal region who have long been associated with both education and theatre will share their experiences. Participants include education expert Dr Mahabaleshwara Rao, DIET Udupi lecturer Dr K Kishore Kumar Shetty, Manipal ENGJC vice-principal Nagendra Pai, teacher Varadaraj BirtI, Surabhi institution’s Sudhakar P Baindoor, and theatre director Arunlal.
Inauguration and evening performances
The inauguration of Karavaliya Nirdiganta will take place at 6 pm on January 18. Writer and thinker Fakir Mohammed Katapadi will inaugurate the event in the presence of Prakash Raj. This will be followed by the children’s play Kuni Kuni Navile, written by H S Venkatesh Murthy and directed by Rohith S. Baikadi.
On January 19 at 6.30 pm, the play Devara Aatmahathye, based on writings by Beechi and Srinivasa Vaidya, will be staged by the Sangama Kalavidera team from Manipal. The play is adapted and directed by Ramesh K Benakal.
On January 20 at 6.30 pm, Nirdiganta will present the play Rama, Krishna, Shiva, based on the writings of Lohia, with adaptation, music and direction by Ganesh Mandarthi.
On the concluding day, January 21, the programme Samateya Haadu will be presented at 6 pm in the presence of Prakash Raj. This will be followed by the play Kodalla Andre Kodalla, adapted from Dario Fo’s Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay?, from 7.15 pm to 9.15 pm. The concept, design and direction of the play are by Shakeel Ahmed.
Raju Manipal, Ganesh Mandarthi, Shakeel Ahmed and others were present at the press conference.
Views on governance and cinema
Responding to a question on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah completing a long tenure in office, Prakash Raj said records are made by many leaders, but Devraj Urs and Siddaramaiah belong to different times and contexts and cannot be directly compared. He said it would be good for the Chief Minister to maintain stronger control over administration and address allegations of corruption in his close circles to ensure transparent governance.
He said he congratulated Siddaramaiah and described him as a strong backward-class leader, but added that he is not someone who only praises and will also raise questions when required. “We are not a political party. We are a continuous opposition,” he said.
On his career, Prakash Raj said he does not believe in looking back and prefers to keep moving forward, adding that the journey of life matters the most.
Speaking about upcoming films, he said he is acting in Rajamouli-directed Varanasi, Purushavatara, Jananayagan starring actor Vijay, and the Hindi film Drishyam 3.
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HC dismisses Abu Salem’s plea seeking immediate release after completing '25 years' in jail
Mumbai (PTI): The Bombay High Court on Wednesday dismissed gangster Abu Salem’s plea for immediate release, claiming he had served 25 years in jail in India mandated under the terms of his extradition from Portugal.
In his plea, Salem had contended that if remission for good behaviour is included, then his 25-year jail term is complete and hence he ought to be freed.
A bench of Justices A S Gadkari and Kamal Khata said it cannot hold that the 25-year jail term is complete, as it would be premature to say anything at this stage on the point of remission.
The court relied on a Supreme Court judgment wherein it was held that remission of a prisoner would need to be calculated a month before the applicant’s release.
“Therefore, the present petition (filed by Salem) is dismissed,” the court said.
A copy of the detailed order is yet to be made available.
Salem’s plea, filed through advocate Farhana Shah, had said that when he was extradited from Portugal in 2005, India had assured that he would not be handed over the death penalty in any case and that he would not be imprisoned for more than 25 years.
The government had opposed his plea, noting that Salem has spent only 19 years in jail and that a decision on his premature release was pending.
Salem was convicted in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts case and sentenced to life imprisonment.
