The historic city of Mysuru is set to host the silver jubilee edition of one of India's most celebrated national theatre gatherings, the Bahuroopi festival. The eight-day cultural extravaganza will commence on January 11 at the Kalamandir venue, drawing performers and audiences from across the nation.
A Festival Dedicated to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's Legacy
This landmark 25th edition will pay heartfelt tributes to the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. The entire festival is designed to revolve around his works, philosophy, and contributions, with a focused theme on 'freedom'. Announcing the details, Rangayana director Satish Tiptur revealed that the Karnataka state government has sanctioned Rs. 1 crore specifically for the silver jubilee celebrations, underscoring the event's significance.
The festival will be ceremonially inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on January 12 at the Vanaranga amphitheatre. In a testament to its national character, the theatrical lineup features 24 plays, with half of them being non-Kannada productions. Audiences can expect performances in English, Hindi, Marathi, Tulu, Tamil, and Malayalam, alongside six dedicated children's dramas. These plays will be staged across Rangayana's various venues, including Vanaranga, Bhoomigeetha, and Kalamandir.
Star-Studded Performances and Honours
The festival's musical narrative segment promises to be a major highlight, featuring acclaimed artists from different parts of India. Renowned Punjabi singer Ginni Mahi and her team will perform, along with artists like Janardhan, Gollahalli Shivaprasad, Devananda Varaprasad, Picchalli Srinivas, and Anirudh Vankar with their respective groups.
The guest list includes dignitaries and veterans such as senior theatre artiste from Manipur, Heisnam Savitri Devi, who will be honoured with the prestigious 'Belli Bahuroopi Ranga Gaurav Award' for her lifetime contributions to theatre. Other notable attendees include district in-charge minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, Kannada and Culture minister Shivaraj Tangadagi, and MPs Sunil Bose and Yaduveer Wadiyar.
Film Festival, Children's Events, and Cultural Stalls
Parallel to the theatre events, a film festival will be inaugurated on January 11 at Sriranga Mandira by senior theatre personality Baraguru Ramachandrappa. The Children's Bahuroopi segment, a key attraction, will be launched on January 12 at Kalamandir by Rameshwari Varma.
Beyond performances, the festival grounds will transform into a vibrant cultural marketplace. Approximately 72 stalls will offer a diverse experience, encompassing a book fair, a handicrafts exhibition, and a food mela. In the lead-up to the main event, the University of Mysore's Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Research Centre and Extension hosted a two-day seminar. The centre's director, S. Narendra Kumar, confirmed that experts, including 15 directors from Ambedkar Research Centres nationwide, will participate in the festival.
The 25th Bahuroopi National Theatre Festival stands as a powerful confluence of art, social reflection, and celebration, firmly placing Mysuru at the heart of India's cultural discourse this winter.
