Poetic justice for Kuvempu: Celebration at graveyard!

Shivamogga: Sahyadri Rangataranga, a city-based theatre troupe, has organised a programme at the Veerashaiva burial ground in Mandli locality here on December 29 to mark the birth anniversary of Kuvempu. Speaking to this correspondent on Sunday, Mr. Kantesh Kadaramandalagi, president of the troupe said, “There is a taboo associated with  death and burial grounds. To debunk such myths, it is planned to celebrate the birth anniversary of Kuvempu at the burial ground,” he said.

He described poet laureate late Kuvempu as a progressive writer, who articulated his views against superstition and reactionary forces in his literary works.Mr. Kadaramandalagi said that the play that had a scavenger as protagonist was impregnated with subtle comments against social disparities. The concept of dignity of labour was also highlighted in the play. To make the presentation more touching and realistic, the drama would be staged in the natural background of a burial ground. Civic workers serving with Shivamogga City Corporation would be felicitated on the occasion, he said.

Writer S. Panchakshari, a retired professor who was a student of Kuvempu, will read out select parts of ‘Smashana Kurukshetra’, a play authored by the latter that highlights the futility of war and inevitability of death.  Vocalists Nagarathna and Nitish Kadaramandalagi will sing the poems penned by Kuvempu. Artistes of the Sahyadri Rangataranga troupe will stage ‘Jalagarâ’, a drama based on Kuvempu’s play of the same name.