Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (FR)

Mangalore, Aug 4: Kannada theatre lovers who flocked to Sudheendra Bhavana of Canara High School at Dongarakeri to watch the play 'Swapna Saraswata' had every reason to be happy. The play based on ‘Swapna Saraswat', the book that won Central Academy award to Gopalakrishna Pai in 2010, was staged for the public free of cost by 'Nata Mitraru', Theerthahalli in association with Department of Kannada and Culture, Mangalore and local sponsors Swasti R X Life Trust, Mannagudda and Swapna Saraswata fan club.

The programme was co-sponsored by Canara High School Association. It was indeed a good attendance for a Sunday evening that too during the rainy season and the public viewed the entire one and half hour play with rapt attention. 'Nagdo Bethala', one of the main characters of the novel and also of the play played by Javli Sandesh Shenoy essayed the role with aplomb filling life into his character and the supporting cast also essayed their role with equal ease. In fact the entire team gave credible performance brining alive the main characters of Nagdo Bethala, Vittu Pai, Malapayya, Dadda, Goyel, Elveera and many more, giving a flashback of the events to those who read the book and glimpse of the past history to those who have not read the book.

The novel 'Swapna Saraswata' is a dramatic tale written by Gopalakrishna Pai narrating the exodus of Gowda Saraswat Bhrahmins from Goa following the oppressive rule of the Portuguese. The book indeed gives the real picture of the sufferings of the people in the cruel hands of Portuguese which finally compelled them to leave their birthplace and all their possessions and migrate to parts of Karnataka and Kerala.

Converting the 500 page novel into a one-and-a-half hour play that depicts the story of migration of families of five generation from Goa during the Portuguese rule is not an easy task. But the writer and director S Malathi, Sagara has done a laudable job. She effectively used the character of a narrator to take the play forward effectively linking the story and making it easy for the public to relate to the story and also hold their attention. Her 30 years of experience in theatre must have given her ample experience to deal with the subject with the skillfulness she has exhibited in this play. The background music of Nagabhushana Hegde supplemented the theme. The music, stage setting, lighting and voice over was carried out meticulously.

In fact, the team of Nata Mitraru, a potpourri of young and not so young should be commended for their efforts that helped the viewers to get a vivid account of the sufferings of their ancestors. The 36 member team which travelled all the way from Teerthahalli to present the programme is happy that their play is well received. In fact it was their 4th state performance and the first in Mangalore. The team had done two shows in Teerthahalli and one in Sagara.

Needless to say, the audience comprising mainly of GSB’s went through the journey depicted by Gopalakrishna Pai in his book and all those involved in staging this play in Mangalore definitely deserve a pat on the back.

The team of 'Nata Mitraru' was honoured by former President Karnataka Konkani Sahithya Academy Kasaragod Chinna and Basti Vamana Shenoy after the staging of the play.