Bangalore, October 9, 2013: Vachanas will be spread across the country in Hindi by using theatre as a platform.

‘Shiva Desha Sanchara’, a theatrical yatra, will be taken up to mark the birth centenary of Shivakumara Shivacharya Swami of Taralabalu Math by Sri Shivakumar Kalasangha, Sanehalli.

Under the programme, Kalansangha will travel across the country and propagate the Vachanas by enacting two Hindi plays. The theatrical yatra will begin on October 10 and 11 by staging of the plays at Taralabalu Kendra in R.T. Nagar here.

Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, theatre personality and convener of ‘Shiva Desha Sanchara’ project, Srinivas G. Kappanna said the programme is intended to propagate the Vachana philosophy in Hindi to reach a larger audience. The 25-member troupe will cover 11,000 kms by road, visiting 18 States and staging 60 shows in 32 centres, he said.

“Twenty artistes from different parts of the country had been trained for the purpose,” Mr. Kappanna said.

Shrish Dobhal, an alumnus of National School of Drama and director of ‘Mai Baavai Channaki’, said the 12{+t}{+h}Century Shivasharanas, through Vachana literature, provided a great vision to society, but is less known to other parts of the country. “I am influenced by the Vachana literature, which states that society could be reformed through the path of devotion. And it is my privilege to direct the play,” he said.

The play ‘Mai Baavai Channak’, the Hindi translation of ‘Sharana Sati-Lingapati’ authored by Sri Shivakumar Swamiji” is related to Akka Mahadevi and Basavanna. The other play “Maran Hi Mahanavami”, translation of Kannada play “Maranave Mahanavami”, will be directed by K.G. Krishnamurthy of Heggodu.

Source: The Hindu, October 9, 2013