Rangayana tries to redefine religion in the backdrop of Mysticism

MYSORE: Current turmoil in the social field and rising sense of communalism in the peoples mind seems to have attracted the attention of theatre artists forcing them to discuss the issue in detail at the seven day 11th edition of Bahuroopi the national theatre festival being organized here by Rangayana a theatre repertory run by the government. In addition to this organizers in their bid to give a broader outlook to the issue of secularism have tried to re-define the religion from the view point of the Sufi saints who tried to wean away people from religion towards mysticism.
This year’s theme of the Bahuroopi itself is totally different from its earlier editions where organizers gave more importance to theatre related issues and problems and challenges faced by the theatre with the emergence of various modern art forms on the scene.
For two days, beginning from 18 February litterateurs, artists and intellectuals invited for the seminar "Sufi- Saint- Harmony" will make a thread bare discussion on the issue of secularism, communalism, mysticism and the philosophy of Sufi saints who vehemently fought orthodox dogmas of the then prevailing religions and situation in the society and how they tried to rationalize the peoples mindset itself.
On the first day discussion which is divided into three sessions will discuss on Sufi –saint- philosophy of love, Sufi- saint - state power and Sufi-saint –religion. On the second day discussions will veer around Sufi-saint- secularism, Sufi –saint- nativity. As a pinnacle to all these discussions the last session will discuss on Experience – Mysticism.
Talking to TOI on the issue, Rangayana director H Janardhan said though initially they planned to discuss the issue of secularism, "I felt it more relevant if we relate the subject to Sufi saints who fought all communal and orthodox beliefs besides trying to make the people realize how mysticism is different from religion and communalism". "It was the Sufi saints along with the 12th century saints who give a new twist to the life itself and the same time, there are misconceptions about Sufi saints in South Karnataka and many does not know about their life and philosophy, I made it a point to include Sufi as the subject in the seminar with an intention to bring the Sufi saints close to the hearts of people in this region" he said, adding that this is the time for every one to educate and raise the peoples thinking capacity which can automatically give a jolt to communal forces.