Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (VP)
Mangaluru, Mar 20: "For an actor stage is not merely a platform to perform but a voice to express disagreement or dissent. Similarly, ballot is stage for the citizens to raise their voice against the ruling dispensation, said popular stage and movie start Nana Patekar.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the six-day event ‘Nehadha Neige' Nirdigantha Rangothsava held in association with Astitva began on Wednesday, March 20, at the St Aloysius College premises.
Actor Nana Patekar, expressed his happiness regarding the event and said, "I congratulate Prakash Rai (Raj) for this initiative. I am 74 years old and I have been into an extensive acting journey and I always felt that my parents liked my siblings more because of my colour. But, one day I worked in a play when I was 6 years old. My dad came from Mumbai to see the play and from that day I started my journey. I always wanted to impress my parents. This platform has a lot of strength. We can share our feelings and express our feelings in front of an audience. Whatever we don't agree we can express here but the main thing is what kind of language we use. Those days when Lal Bahadur Shastriji's friend asked him for Rs 200 when his salary was just Rs 150. His wife then offered to give him the money. When Shastri wanted to know from where she did get this money his wife told him that she had made savings of Rs 10-15. Shastriji instantly wrote a letter asking for a cut in his salary to Rs 125."
"I don't support any party and I also told Prakash that the things you say from stage will have a huge impact. You have a huge army and not everyone will be successful in that. Prakash is a great actor and one day any character of Mahabharata we will perform and you need to get into the role and to know the script you need to learn the full story. Voting is our right and everyone should vote once in five years when we get a chance to raise our voice through the ballot. I feel that if you don't vote it's the biggest mistake. P L Deshpande was my professor and under him I worked in my initial days. Later, I began working with Aravind Deshpande and that's where I learnt everything about theatre. I was rude in my early life and with that most of the things got messed up and to look inside yourself you need to be alone," he said.
He further added that "You need to convince the audience that you know everything. While working on a script it's our duty that it should not feel like someone else has written it. Keep on searching for something in you. When I started meeting farmers my whole perspective of life changed. A farmer was dead and they were scared of finding their next meal. Later I gave them some money. I started my Foundation work with Tata Foundation after I signed a cheque for about Rs 15,000. Maharashtra government is helping us. Other than acting there is this responsibility of an actor that he has to repay to the society. We need to learn everyday and whatever we learn is from society. Once you grow up you need to help them and if someone does better work than you need to support them and learn from them. There is no age for learning. The day we respect one another’s beliefs all hatred will be gone. Jesus said that what they are doing they don't know and asked for forgiveness and that attitude made him God."
Actor Prakash Raj welcomed the gathering and said, "Relevant work in the field of drama should have been done long back and now it's growing since the last 9 months. The ‘Nehadha Neige’ initiative brings actors together and it's a platform to express your talent. People have gathered from all walks of life to celebrate during the next 6 days and the sole reason for this programme is made to foster unity. I am thankful to everyone who has gathered here. When we planned to organise such a programme we approached St Aloysius and the vice-chancellor readily helped us. Nana Patekar is a humble man and he accepted our invitation even though his close friend died yesterday and yet he could make it here."
The drama 'Bob Marley from Kodihalli' was presented. Over the six-day event, drama performances will take place across four stages, featuring 8 dramas, 6 musical programmes, one film screening, Yakshagana, panel discussions with renowned theatre artistes, and a mega seminar.
The Rangotsava will be supported by theatre groups from Mangaluru such as Ayana, Natakada Mane, Arehole Prathistana Mangaluru, Kalabhi, Rangasangathi, Journey Theatre, Samudaya, Kalakul Nataka Repertory, Comedy Company, Logos Theatre Troupe, Ranga Adhyayana Kendra, and St Aloysius Mangaluru.
On March 21, the drama 'Dweepa' will be showcased at 2 pm, followed by 'Tappida Male' at 7 pm. On March 22, 'Anamika Saavu' will be staged at 2:30 pm, followed by 'Black Balloon' at 7 pm. On March 23, the Kannada film photo exhibition will premiered at 2 pm, followed by 'Matthaya 22:39’ at 7 pm. On March 24, 'A Friend Beyond the Fence' will be showcased at 7 pm, and on March 25, 'Manteswamy Kavya Prayoga' will be presented at 7 pm.
H S Shivaprakash, Krupakara Senani, Shakeel Ahmed, Achyuth Kumar, Shashidhar Adapa, Shwetha Rani, Arun Lal, K P Laxman, Sudha Adukala, I K Boluvaaru, K Y Narayana Swamy, Shashank Saigal, K Rammaiyya, Savitha Rani, Dr Sripada Bhat, Sumana Kittur, Mansore, Hemanth Rao, Eere Gowda, Shwetha Rani, and others were present.