Kannada Development Authority Chairman Purushottama Bilimale speaks on ‘Souhardada Bali-Namma Karavali’ on the first day of ‘Nirdigantha Utsava’ organised by Nirdigantha team of actor Prakash Raj on Friday, February 28, in Mangaluru.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

At a time when efforts are being made to foist a monoculture and traditions across the country, acts to portray the diverse and vibrant culture, like the one done through Nirdiganta, sends out the right message, said Kannada Development Authority chairman Purushothama Bilimale in Mangaluru on Friday.

Inaugurating the four day ‘Nirdiganta Utsava’ by Nirdiganta, an incubation centre for theatre and arts promoted by actor Prakash Raj, Mr. Bilimale said India is like a rangoli of different colours. There are efforts to remove these colours and have a mono colour. “The effort of Nirdiganta to bring out the rangoli of India should send a right message across the country,” he said.

Mr. Bilimale said the population, culture and traditions of the native tribals of the coast was on a decline. As a result of attack on their intellect, these tribal people are slowly moving towards Hindutva, he alleged.

Vice-Chancellor of St. Aloysius (Deemed to be University) Praveen Martis said if the history is not passed from one generation to the next generation then there is a threat of forgetting the history. Use of art forms to bring together diverse culture and traditions of the coastal region should be encouraged, he said.

Eight plays

A total of eight dramas, including Tulu, Konkani, and Malayalam, will be staged in the four-day event.

On February 28, play ‘For a Bite of Food’ (directed by Shakeel Ahmed and performed by Spinning Tree Theatre of Vijayapura) and ‘Gudiya Nodiranna’ (directed by Mahadeva Hadapada and staged by Aatamada of Dharwad) were staged.

There was also a discussion session on ‘Changing format of Yakshagana’. A Yakshagana Koti-Chennaya was also staged on February 28.

Konkani drama Hyangan (12 p.m.) and Malayalam play Kuhu (7 p.m.) will be staged on March 1. Play ‘Rasidi Ticket’ (12 p.m.) and ‘Tindige Banda Tunderaya’ (7 p.m.) will be staged on March 2. Play ‘Eedi’ (12 p.m.) and ‘Mai Managala Suliyalli’ (7 p.m.) will be staged on March 3. Street plays ‘Navu Yavaga Badalagutteve’ and ‘Eega Heli Navu Eenmadona’ will also be staged on March 3 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m..

There will be session on, Mutual relations of coastal languages and falling standards of plurality and local traditions on March 1; Conservation and performing traditions, creativity of coastal belt on March 2, and Status of coastal theatre on March 3.