Another Ugadi has arrived, and along with the homemade bevu-bella with which you start your morning, you could savour another spoonful in the evening if you head to Ravindra Kalakshetra. No, it’s not a religious gathering that you’re in for but for Yashasvi Kalavidaru’s performance of ‘Samsaradalli Sarigama’, a production that the amateur troupe has proudly kept alive for close to three decades and over 1300 shows now.
“This has been our tradition,” says Sarigama Viji, the play’s director and lead actor. “We also welcome the women with arishina-kumkuma and a blouse piece each. We have been staging the play every Ugadi for 21 years now.” This will be the 1306th show of the play.
The plot centres on two couples - one that has had an arranged marriage and another love marriage. With comedy that’s arising from everyday life situations as a sweet coating to the message that understanding is the key to the success of relationships, the play has seen a varying but distinguished cast over the years.
“Actress Umashree (Now Kannada and Culture Minister) has done over 600 shows,” says Viji, who has continued to play the male lead role. The script and dialogues have evolved from show to show.
“We try to keep up with trends and times. When housewives took to gymming, we incorporated a dialogue about it,” he adds.
Many distinguished pairs of eyes have watched ‘Samsaradalli…’, and whenever possible their names too have found their way into the script. But the jibes ensure that the jokes tickle their special guests. Then is it really a wonder that the production has continued through so many shows while several other more serious theatrical pieces are struggling?
Watch Samsaradalli Sarigama at Ravindra kalakshetra, J C Road, 6.15 pm today. Entry is by invitation. Around 50-100 tickets will be available on first-come-first-seved basis at the venue.