J C ROAD :A team of 15 transgender artistes have come together to stage a mythological play titled Mohini Bhasmasura at Ravindra Kalakshetra this Sunday.
The artistes, who have been staging social dramas in and around Karnataka, will perform something mythological for the first time.
And they thank Helan Mysore, a theatre, TV and film artiste from Mysuru, who took the initiative and brought them all together for this play.
“We have dedicated two-and-a-half months to practise and rehearse for the play. All thanks to Helan for making it possible. Her confidence was a big boost for us,” says Priyanka, who is playing the character Rambe.
Helan taught the artistes dance and drama, as they practised between 10 am and 6 pm every day.
The troupe will also be staging a number of other plays, including social dramas like Mangalamukhi Yakanthiri. They will travel across the state and perform in various cities.
“We are performing in Ballari today and will be back in Bengaluru on Sunday. We want to do more mythological productions in the future. In fact, Helan is keen on staging Sri Krishna Sandhana after this,” Priyanka says.
“We are grateful for this opportunity and we have worked really hard. But we don’t expect any monetary gain from this. All we want is to be part of the mainstream theatre scene,” she says.
The artistes have other jobs when they are not practising. Priyanka works at a radio station.
The troupe is proud to have on its guest list MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree, Karnataka State Commission for Women (KSCW) Chairperson Manjula Manasa, Proprietor of Karnataka Kala Vaibhava Nataka Sangha, Malathi Sudhir and actresses Tara and Jayamala. They are all expected to be present on Sunday, Priyanka says.
*Mohini Bhasmasura, directed by Helan Mysore at Ravindra Kalakshetra from 10 am to 9.30 pm tomorrow