Rangayana

Rangayana (Kannada: ರಂಗಾಯಣ) is a theatre institute which operates from Mysore, Karnataka, India. It works as an autonomous cultural institute. The organization consists of a professional repertory company, a theatre-training institute and a documentation and research centre. Rangayana offers courses in stage craft, preparation and presentation of plays in Kannada. It also conducts programs for promotion of Kannada theatre. Rangayana hosts a theatre festival in Mysore every year. Rangayana is the only government sponsored repertory in the country. It is also undertaking a project to introduce theatre to kids and has created a children's repertory in association with the International Theatre Institute and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

Rangayana was started by Government of Karnataka in 1989 for promotion of stage crafts and plays. The project was the brainchild of B.V. Karanth and he was appointed as the first director of the institute. He continued in that position till 1995 when C.Basavalingiah took over from him.Prasanna was appointed as the third director of Rangayana in 2001. It was during his time that Rangayana started weekend performances. However Prasanna resigned from the position in 2003 due to conflict of interest between him and the Department of Kannada and Culture. Prasanna had a clash with the Government of Karnataka too when the government decided to cut back on the annual grants provided to Rangayana in 2003. However, due to strong protests by various cultural bodies the government continued with its grants. Chidambara Rao Jambe of Ninasam fame was appointed as the fourth director . Dayanand is the present director

Rangayana consists of professional repertory company, a theatre training institute called Bharatiya Ranga Shikshana Kendra and a documentation and research centre called Sriranga Ranga Mahiti and Samshodana Kendra.

Repertory company started performing two times a week regularly on weekends at Bhoomigeeta theatre at Mysore in 2002. Later in 2006, the weekend theatre program was reduced to one day a week citing busy schedule of artists. In addition, regular tours are conducted throughout Karnataka performing in different towns. It also attends national drama festivals held at different cities of India like New Delhi, Mumbai and Bhopal.

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