Ranga Shankara to hold Theatre Festival from Oct 22

"A total of 17 forms from across India will be showcased during the festival.The theatre buffs in Bangalore will be exposed to several rare and precious forms which they have not witnessed earlier", Arundhati Nag,founder and creative Director of Ranga Shankara, the organisers, told reporters.

The plays will be in eight regional languages with English sub-titles.
The theatre extravaganza will open with a performance by Sattriya Monks of Uttar Kamalabari Sattara, from the village of Majuli in Assam.The form emerges from a 500 year-old theatre tradition nurtured in the Vaishnav monasteries of Assam.

The festival will also feature legendary Ramakant Vithal Umap of Maharashtra who will perform "Jambu Aakhyaan" in the Gondhal form.

Theatre aficionados will be treated to the performance of Kapila Venu, renowned dancer from Kerala threatre group Natana Kairali,Venu who will perform Kutiyattam in the traditional style.

Apart from two distinct story-telling forms, a carefully selected bouquet of Kannada folk theatre forms and a seminar of folk culture will be also be showcased.

"India is such a diverse and culturally  rich country that one cannot present an exhaustive list of folk and classical forms. Karnataka itself has 145 recognised folk forms. The festival is our humble tribute to offer glimpses of what India has to offer" Arundhati said.