IFA@Pune: Presentation of Dodatta at RINGAN | May 14, 2016

IFA @ RINGAN – an initiative by Aasakta Kalamanch, Pune
A Presentation on Doddata by Prakash and Rajani Garud
followed by
A Discussion with critic and scholar Dr Ajay Joshi
May 14, 2016 | 07:30 PM | Sudarshan Rangmanch, Pune
421 Shaniwar Peth, Near Ahilyadevi High School, Pune - 411030
Contact: 020 2443 0803

India Foundation for the Arts (IFA) is delighted to invite you to a presentation on the performance form, Doddata, by Prakash Garud and his collaborator Rajani Garud, followed by a discussion with critic and scholar Dr Ajay Joshi on May 14.

Prakash and his collaborator Rajani were supported with a grant under our Arts Research and Documentation Programme, to study the history and development of the 200-year old tradition of Doddata, by tracing the changes in its practice in response to the Parsi theatre and subsequently, the Company theatre. The research also investigated into the politics of north Karnataka and patronage by religious institutions, which have informed the practice and performance of Doddata in recent times.

Aasakta's RINGAN is a platform to create meaningful engagement for audiences and performers / artists with respect to theatre and allied arts.

Prakash, current director of Rangayana, Dharwad, is a theatre practitioner with about thirty years of experience in acting and directing, interested in art education, and community theatre development. He is a member of the Garud Natya Sangh, and has a PhD in theatre from the Kannada University, Hampi. He is interested in puppetry, especially shadow puppetry, and has conducted workshops for both children and adults. He received the Suvarna Karnataka Nataka Academy Award, in 2010.

Rajani completed her degree in Theatre Education at Neelakanteshwara Natya Seva Sangha Heggodu (NINASAM), and has worked in their Tirugata repertory company, as an actor. She has a background inYakshagana and is an expert in puppet making. She is the founder member of Puppet House (Gombe Mane), Dharwad, as well as the Balabalaga Srujanasheela Shikshana Trust, and regularly engages with alternative educational activities and Theatre for Education programmes.

Ajay is a practising dentist with a PhD in Theatre Criticism. He writes for a number of publications, and has organised several theatre festivals. Dr Joshi lives and works in Pune, and has also translated Marathi plays into English.

Prakash's project was made possible by a grant from India Foundation for the Arts, with support from Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT).