Open-air-theatre named after P. Lankesh inaugurated in Shivamogga

An open-air theatre constructed on the premises of Suvarna Samskruti Bhavana, from where Shivamogga Rangayana operates, was inaugurated on Saturday (March 14, 2026). The theatre has been named after journalist, storyteller and playwright P. Lankesh, a native of Shivamogga.

Minister for School Education Madhu Bangarappa, who is also Minister-in-Charge of Shivamogga district, inaugurated the theatre. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister stated that his department was contemplating the introduction of theatre as part of the curriculum in schools.

A separate residential school to train children interested in theatre, music and folk arts would be set up in Mysuru. The minister opined that encouraging theatre and other cultural activities among children would help in realising Kuvempu’s idea of making children universal persons in a real sense.

Writer and journalist B. Chandre Gowda, who worked for Lankesh Patrike, expressed happiness on the theatre being named after Lankesh.

The open-air theatre was constructed, spending about ₹50 lakh when Sandesh Javali was the director of Shivamogga Rangayana. Ganesh M., a noted theatre director, who was the director between 2017 and 2019, had begun the work on the project. However, it was not taken up during his tenure. Mr Ganesh and Sandesh Javali recalled their efforts in the programme.

Tirthahalli MLA Araga Jnanendra, Nataka Academy chairperson Nagaraja Murthy, Shivamogga Rangayana director Prasanna D., administrator A.C. Shylaja and others were present.

After the inaugural ceremony, senior artists of Mysuru Rangayana staged the play – Omme Hennagu, based on short stories of Booker Prize-winning author Banu Mushtaq. The play was directed by Savitha Rani. Shashikala B.N. and Nandini K.R. presented the play.