Media Release
Pics by Ashok Belman - Gulf Kannadiga
Dubai, Feb 20: Internationally-acclaimed play 'Bali’, written by Jnanapeeth awardee, Padmabhushan Girish Karnad, will be staged on March 22, 2013 at Emirates Theatre (Emirates International School Auditorium), Dubai, at 5.30 pm.
The ‘muhurat’ of the drama was held at Winney’s Restaurant on Saturday February 16, at Karama..
James Mendonca presided over the function while Sathish Venkataramana was the chief guest. Walter Nandalike, B G Mohandas, and Ganesh Rai were the guests of honour.
Explaining the background of the selection of this drama for this year, Prakash Rao Payyar, president, Dhwani Prathisthana, said that over the years Dhwani Pratishthana has developed a group of theatre enthusiasts who are eager to witness such serious dramas and slowly but steadily the number of such theatre lovers is growing. “The aim of Dhwani Pratishthana is to meet the expectations of the people and continue to present them with the best of the dramas here in Dubai,” he added.
The chief guest and guests of honour wished the artistes and the members of Dhwani Pratishthana and also pledged all possible support to make the event a grand success.
Mendonca complimented the artists and Payyar who have been presenting Dubai with art theatre of the highest order. He was happy that he could enjoy many over the years. He hoped that this drama will also bring great laurels to all the artistes and wished all the participants good luck.
Representatives of Kannadiga associations present in the meeting complimented the team and each assured full support to the event.
The special feature of the play is the incorporation of ‘Yakshagana’ a popular folk art form of coastal Karnataka to emphasize particular emotions and create the ambience of the holy sacrifice. With juxtaposition and synchronization of contemporary abstract dance and folk dance, classical music, realistic action, visual and literary poetry, amazing sets and lighting, the play is likely to become a landmark in the Kannada theatre history of Dubai.
Dhwani Prathisthana will stage the play under the direction of its president Payyar. Donald Correa, Asha Correa, Prabhakar Kamath and Gopika Mayya will be taking the lead roles in the drama. Reshma Periera, Deepa Rohit, Sudarshan Hegde, Jesh Bayar, Sampath Shetty, Ashok Anchan, Santosh Poojary, Padmaraj Yekkar, Sanmatha Hegde, Charishma Poojary, and others are in supporting roles. Vinay Kumar Naik, Rajesh Kuttar, and Satish Shetty are in technical support. Satish Ullal, Roshan Aruthar Periera, Ganesh Kulal, Shridhar Lade, and Madhusudan will provide backstage support.
Established in 1985, Dhwani Prathisthana has produced more than 30 plays by renowned playwrights in Kannada and staged the same in Mumbai, Pune, and Dubai. The organization has so far staged Girish Karnad’s ‘Nagamandala’, ‘Hayavadana’, ‘Odakalu Bimba’ and Mohan Rakesh’s ‘Ashadhada Ondu Dina’ in Dubai.
Entry for the show will be free for all theatre fans.