Mysore's biggest theatre festival Bahuroopi attracts performers from across the country

Theatre, they say, was created to tell people the truth about life and social situations. And the theme of this year’s Bahuroopi — the annual national theatre fest that Mysore has been playing host to for 11 years — reiterates this.
The ongoing festival stresses on the need for harmony and peace in today’s turbulent times, and thus has ‘Sufi-Saint-Harmony’ as its theme.A series of plays, films and seminars will also be a part of this event, which is being held in Rangayana, the city’s lush green theatre space. As part of the festival, over 10 troupes from Bangalore, Mysore, Mandya, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Nepal will present plays. Kannada play Nammolagobba Najookaya, penned by famed director TN Seetharam, and M Byregowda’s Devanampriya Ashoka also feature on the schedule.
Hindi plays Seventeenth July and The Great Raja Master Drama Company, Nepali play Agniko Katha, Telugu play Jai Pathaala Bhairavi and Marathi play Satyashodak will also be staged, along with folk performances like Kalaripayattu, Dollu Kunitha, Tathvapada, Gotipuva, Pooja Kunitha and Yakshagana.
Movie buffs will have little to complain about as a wide variety of world cinema is also slated to be screened. “With films in languages like Kannada (Santha Tukaram and Ganayogi Panchakshari Gavai), English (Bishar Blues and Rebel Music-The Bob Marley Story) and Hindi (Koi Sunta Hai and Santha Gnaneshwar), the selection is distinct. These films are good reference points for filmmakers, students and researchers,” says Nagabhushan, an aspiring director. The other popular event is the seminar on Sufi saints. Thinkers like GK Govinda Rao, Rahamat Tarikere and Sarod maestro Rajeev Taranath are expected to deliberate on topics like the concepts of Sufi-Saint secularism, philosophy, religion and state power, and mysticism.
There is good news in store for shopaholics as well. From traditional attire to handicrafts, there is something for everyone. Foodies rejoice, as the festival will serve delicacies from across the state on a platter. A photo exhibition, put together by Rangayana, celebrating the 25 years of its existence will also be on display, Bahuroopi is on till January 20
— Contributed by Shruti IL