They
were here to create history. Why only history, they were also
into mythology, folk culture, politics and many other things
as well. In an unprecedented gesture in the history of world
theatre, the city-based theatre group Nandana staged
plays continuously for one hundred hours, from January 7th to
11th, 2001.
Dev Nagesh and Ratna Nagesh are the major architects
and promoters of the cultural troupe Nandana. After getting
good encouragement when the troupe staged Harakeya Kuri earlier,
they extended their activities to organizing theatre festivals,
competitions, seminars and workshops. They have traveled all
over India and given shows in major cities in association with
the Karnataka Nataka Academy, Department of Kannada and Culture
and other organisations.
In this rare attempt, Nandana chose Kannada plays written by
contemporary playwrights like Kuvempu, Masthi, Bendre, T
P Kailasam, Chandrashekara Kambar, Lankesh and Girish Karnad
covering a variety of themes - social, absurd, historical,
mythological, folk and political. This
non-stop event, called Ranga Shataka (stage century),
has been a unique experiment for the city's theatre enthusiasts
and actors.
With sixteen artists and three musicians, they staged forty
plays, each varying in duration from thirty minutes to three
hours. This is the first-of-its kind, as no troupe had ever
come forward to conduct such a mega event, except one Madurai
troupe, which performed 'street plays' continuously for 57.5
hours in 1999.
Ranga Shataka enthralled the audience gathered at the ADA Rangamandira,
where the event was held, day and night. Starting at 4 PM on
January 7, 2001, they continually staged dramas -Tollu Gatti,
Goudara malli, Yayaati, Nagamandala, Sangya Baalya, Kote, Grahana
and other thirty-three plays till 8 PM on January 11, 2001.
Narrating their experience, Dev and Ratna Nagesh told bangalorebest.com
that they were impressed by the response of the audience. He
said that the turnout was more than their expectation. Ratna
was all praise for the encouragement extended by the people
of the city, who witnessed some of their plays that went on
throughout the night.
The Director couple, after dedicating themselves to the theatre
for over eighteen years, thought of coming up with something
unique on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of their drama
troupe Nandana. And that is how Ranga Shataka was conceived.
They trained and introduced many new entrants, as they felt
that there was a need for a new generation to carry on the Kannada
theatre tradition.
Experiments enrich culture and literature. The novel fare offered
at Ranga Shataka came at a time when the field of Kannada
theatre needed that extra boost. Hopefully, the city will witness
similar ventures in future, which will go a long way in preserving
the cultural traditions of the state.
y
were here to create history. Why only history, they were also
into mythology, folk culture, politics and many other things
as well. In an unprecedented gesture in the history of world
theatre, the city-based theatre group Nandana staged
plays continuously for one hundred hours, from January 7th to
11th, 2001. 
his
non-stop event, called Ranga Shataka (stage century),
has been a unique experiment for the city's theatre enthusiasts
and actors. 
heatre
for over eighteen years, thought of coming up with something
unique on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of their drama
troupe Nandana. And that is how Ranga Shataka was conceived.
They trained and introduced many new entrants, as they felt
that there was a need for a new generation to carry on the Kannada
theatre tradition.
