Report by Shyamala Khandige II Yr Journalism
Pics by Rayappa II Yr Journalism
Assistance: Abrar Khan III Yr Journalism
St Aloysius College

Mangalore, Dec 14: ‘Ranga Rangotsava 2006’, a five-day intercollegiate drama competition kicked off at St Aloysius College on Thursday, December 14 in the college auditorium.

The inauguration was held in a unique way by the guests on the dais beating the tabla, a percussion musical instrument.

Dr N  Damodar Shetty, HOD of Kannada, welcomed the guests. He said that conducting such programmes had made the College feel proud.

Addressing the gathering chief guest and Karnataka Natak Academy member V G Pal said that there was a need to infuse life into the dying art of drama. He also encouraged the students and teachers to get more involved in this art.

Rector Fr Francis Serrao thanked Prof Damodar Shetty for his hard work and efforts. Further, he also said that drama was an excellent art of expressions and feelings. He enlightened the gathering on the vast differences that prevailed between cinema and drama.

Fr Serrao also said: "The feelings of an individual are expressed and depicted on the stage in the form of drama". While remembering the contribution made by pioneers in the field, he said it was worthwhile to remember the immense contribution made by Girish Karnad and Vjay Tendulkar to the theatrical field.  As a mass media it can be used as a powerful social instrument to create awareness among the lower strata of the society, he said.

Author Prof G T Narayan Rao as the guest of honour expressed his happiness and appreciated the efforts put in by the College for conducting the programme and making an attempt to bring out the significance of the art of drama.

Kannada Sangha director Dr Saraswatithanked the guests and the audience,.

Seven colleges from Dakshina Kannada district are participating in the event.

(With additional inputs from Sreedevi Chitharanjan, Daijiworld.com)