Theatre

`Lanchavathara' in Melbourne! Yes. A three-member troupe of father and sons - Master Hiranaiah and his two sons, Chiranjeevi Hirannaiah and Gurunath - staged selected scenes from their popular plays `Lanchavathara' and `Nadubeedi Narayana' at Melbourne for the first time recently. The occasion - decennial of the Melbourne Kannada Sangha.

The Australian tour of the trio began with the staging of two scenes from the plays at Five Dock RSL club, New South Wales. Then it was time for discussion. The 500-odd Kannada audience took the opportunity to quiz Master Hirannaiah on various topics ranging from politics to theatre activities in Karnataka. They also made a critical review of his plays. The `Master' handled the queries with great elan - the hallmark of his acting career.

He also released a Kannada souvenir`Nisarga' to mark the decennial. Then the trio thrilled the audience with their witty scenes from the play from While Hirannaiah donned the roles of Dattu (`Lanchavathara) and Thirtharoopu (Nadubeedi Narayana), his sons had roles of Shastry, Meese Muniyappa and Raya.

Then the trio flew on to Singapore. Though the programme was arranged by the Singapore Kannada Sangha in a hurry, there were over 100 Kannadigas at the Club Hall where the function took place.

(Courtesy The Times of India Dec 24)