Come Friday and the city will gear up to celebrate the spirit of theatre in its classical form in this year's Ranga Shankara Fest

Come Friday and the city will gear up to celebrate the spirit of theatre in its classical form in this year's Ranga Shankara Festu00a0

Over the next 11 days, Bangaloreans are in for a theatrical treat as the Ranga Shankara Theatre Fest hits town. With 17 folk forms of theatre in eight different languages from all across India, the festival is all ready to celebrate theatre in its classical and purest form.

Explaining why Ranga Shankara chose this particular theme in the seventh anniversary of the festival, Gayathri Krishna, who handles the programming of the celebration says, "We wanted to show how these forms of theatre were practiced as rituals around 500 years ago and slowly evolved as classical forms. Youngsters should participate in this event to know how their backyard is and thus widen their perceptions of Indian theatre."

Kattaikkuttu, a theatrical performance from Tamil Nadu

The Guide picks 11 best performances over 11 days that you simply cannot miss out on.

Day 1 October 22
Theatre & Arts Appreciation Course
Bangaloreans, here is your chance to view art with a new perspective. Spearheaded by renowned art critic Sadanand Menon, the workshop will show participants how to appreciate art through new ways of seeing and listening. Held in different segments over a period of six days, the workshop will discuss theatre, cinema, dance, photography and music. The course while discussing various structures of art will also allow participants to interact with eminent theatre personalities like Girish Karnad, artist Pushpamala N, filmmaker Anand Patwardhan and singer Bombay Jayashree among others. The workshop is open to participants between the ages of 16 and 60 years for a course fee of Rs 5,000. However, the fee for full time students is Rs 1,000.
On from October 22 to 24 and from October 30 to November 1, 10.30 am onwards

Day 2 October 23
Draupadi Tukil
Now a village religious theatrical performance comes on a Ranga Shankara stage in the form of Draupadi Tukil, a kind of Kattaikkuttu theatre ritual performance from Tamil Nadu. Kattaikkuttu is a musical with song, dance and live music. The characters are heavily made up and have a mask-like appearance with rich costumes. The ritual theatre is performed in honour of Draupadi who is worshipped as a goddess in rural Tamil Nadu all night on a stage that is not elevated. Rangaswamayya and troupe from Tumkur will bring to life a Kattaikkuttu performance just for you.
On October 23, 6.45 pm

Day 3 October 24
Lokmahabharat Arthaat Jambhul Akhyan
Adhering to the traditional Marathi folk form Gondhal, this play shows how Parashurama after killing the demon Berasura carried him on his shoulder while playing an instrument. Dressed in a 25 metres long full skirted robe, a red scarf round the waist, a necklace of cowries and with a large pagdi on head, the actors will present a dance recital that will give you an authentic flavour of Indian mythology.
Director: Ajit Chintaman Bhagat
On October 25, 3.30 pm

Day 4 October 25
Kalamandalam Raman Kutty Nair
Malayalam auteur Adoor Gopalakrishnan presents to us, through his documentary, the life and times of India's greatest living Kathakali artist Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair. This documentary follows a monologue style with the aged kathakali dancer talking throughout and his real life performances being interwoven into the film.
Director: Adoor Gopalakrishnan
Malayalam, 73 minutes,
On October 25, 7.30 pm onwards

Day 5 October 26
Jogeeraata & Kinnari Mela
Also known as Jogateera Aata, this popular folk form hails from North Karnataka. Dedicated to the Goddess Yellamma, the art is based on the belief that she symbolizes the universe. You will get to see dancers in colourful clothes balancing pots of water on their heads as they sing and dance in her praise to the tunes of Chowdike, a traditional Carnatic instrument.
Director Jogti Manjamma and Anjaneya Jogi
On October 26, 7.30 pm

Day 6 October 27
Dastangoi -- New Tales from Tilism-e Hoshruba
There is story, music and dialogues. But it is not one of those contemporary plays with an urban feel, with the aim of exploring the ancient storytelling tradition of Persia, Mahmood Farooqui and Danish Husain bring on stage the play Dastangoi, which is based on stories from the Tilism-e Hoshruba, the most well known chapter of the Dastan-e Amir Hamza. The play has a single performer called the Dastango, who would recite tales, some of which over the years have become famous folklores in northern India. Through the storyteller's interaction with his listeners, Farrooqi attempts to impart his audience an idea of a tradition that existed centuries ago.
Director Mahmood Farooqui and Danish Husain
On October 27, 7.30 pm

Day 7 October 28
Draupadi Cheerharan
This unique art form from Madhya Pradesh will be performed by none other than Padma Bhushan Teejan Bai, the first woman performer of Pandavani. In Pandavani, a lead singer is the main protagonist of the recital and with an Ektara in hand; she sings and narrates various chronicles from the Mahabharata. Also incorporating contemporary socio-political tales in the performance, the performeru00a0 according to the plot poses her hands as Bhima' s mace, Arjuna' s bow, Krishna's chariot or Draupadi' s hair.
By Padma Bhushan Teejan Bai and group
On October 28, 7.30 pm

Day 8 October 29
Phou-oibi
Based on Manipuri mythology, Phou-oibi are ballads that are sung by priests and farmers at the time of Phougural, which is the harvest ritual of Manipur. So get ready to see a dance ballad carrying the essence of the North East.
On October 29, 7.30 pm
Director M Mangangsana

Day 9 October 30
Theyya Theyyam
Theyyam is a ritualistic folk art from Kerala that is linked to ancient cults. It is said that the dancer, who performs Theyyam transforms into God and through his dance and speech predicts the future. A combination of dance, theatre and music, the play Theyya Theyyam revolves around the life of Ramunni, who due to his family rights plays the Theyyam in the village festival every year.
On October 30, 3.30 pm and 7.30 pm
Director Padma Bhushan Sri Kavalam Narayan Panikkar

Day 10 October 31
Abhijnana Sakuntalam
The Natanakairali troupe from Thrissur will bring a 2000-year-old Sanskrit theatre form called Kutiyattam, all the way from Kerala to present Kalidasa's famous Sanskrit play Abhijnana Sakuntalam. Through its highly stylized and complex theatre language, the play through elaborate hand gestures and facial expressions will bring before you an evergreen love story that has sustained the ravages of time.
On October 31, 11 am and 7:30 pm
Director: Shri Gopal Venu

Day 11 November 1
Indrajitu Kalaga
Karnataka's very own Yakshagana will make an appearance on stage. A mix of folk, traditional and classical, the form with its strong influence of Kathakali, this dance drama is going to take you back to the roots. Vibrantly dressed dancers with their bright make up will be telling you the stories from the soil of Karnataka.
Director: Guru Kargallu Vishweshwar Bhat
On November 1, 11 am and 7.30 pm

At Ranga Shankara, JP Nagar
On from October 22 to November 1
Call 2649 3982
For Rs 100

Log on to www.rangashankara.org for programme details

This story is based on the schedule available at the time of going to press.