’Jail Rangayathre’ drama fest from Sept 22

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru :  In an interaction with media, Sankalpa Theatre group Director Hulugappa Kattimani said that Prisoners of Mysuru Central Jail, will display their acting skills at Don Bosco hall in Mangaluru as part of the annual theatre festival, ’Jailininda Jailige Rangayathre,’ from September 22.

Out of 30 prisoners who were part of Rangayathre, ten have been released owing to their good conduct, two days ago. Out of 10 persons four are from DK and Udupi districts.

As part of the drama festival, the first play will be Jayanth Kaikini’s Jategiruvanu Chandira on September 22, K V Subbanna’s Bhagavajjaukiyam Arthat Soole Sanyasi on September 23 and H S Shivaprakash’s Maranayaka will be staged Sepetmber 24. All the plays will begin at 6.30 pm.

Director Kattimani explained as an ongoing experimentation to transform the lives of convicts in various jails, the initiative started in 1997 in Ballari jail.   After the inmates started taking part in the theatrical mission, ten persons who were convicted have been released this year.   The character that the inmate enacts over several sessions for rehearsal before the final show on the stage has an impact on the inmates. It was during this process that the actor had been influenced with the personality of the character - thus resulting in the process of transformation, Kattimani explained.

A convict who was known for his anger was given to play a lead role of Mahatma Gandhi and Basavanna in two plays. Initially, other jail inmates and co-actors were condemning him for not behaving like Mahatma Gandhi or the Basavanna even after enacting their character.  Soon, the character had a serious impact on his life, he changed his tone and started walking bare-foot and even turned into a vegetarian said director Kattimani.

The Director said that Sankalpa will start short term projects for those jail inmates who have been released from the jail, to ensure that they come back to the main stream of the society rather than going back to crime.   There are instances where they undergo insult after getting released from the jail. The repertory aims to ensure that they come out of their past and engage in literature, music and play to lead a good life.

Four inmates from undivided Dakshina Kannada who were part of ’Jailininda Jailige Rangayathre’ and have been released from jail for their good conduct.   Vidyananda Shetty, said that the court had sentenced him to life term for a murder in 2001. Acting in ’Jailininda Jailige Rangayathre’ since 2005, is a  journey that  has been fruitful and has helped transform  many.

Sharath Shettigar from Kundapura said the Udupi Sessions Court had convicted with life sentence in 2002. The theatrical groups have been a main stay  since 2006. The dramas staged helped to know the value of commitment and responsibility in life. It has transformed life to be a good human being. Shettigar is also a good singer and was part of orchestra group of Mysuru jail.

The drama festival will be inaugurated by ADGP (Prisons) Kamal Panth.  DK DC Adoor B Ibrahim, theatre artiste Sadananda Suvarna will be the chief guests.  A 30-minute documentary ’Sankalpa’ by P Sheshadri will be screened on September 23 at 6.40 pm.