Minister for Kannada and Culture Shivaraj Tangadagi with artists of Ninasam, who staged Bertolt Brecht’s play Mother Courage and Her Children at Heggodu, in Shivamogga district in Karnataka, on May 11, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Heggodu (Shivamogga)

Minister for Kannada and Culture Shivaraj Tangadagi has promised funds to renovate Shivarama Karantha Rangamandira and other infrastructure development works of Ninasam in Heggodu, in Karnataka.

He made the announcement after inaugurating Ninasam theatre festival at Heggodu on May 11. Ninasam, which runs a theatre institute, has completed 75 years and has sought funds from the government of Karnataka to renovate its infrastructure in the village.

Minister for Kannada and Culture Shivaraj Tangadagi inaugurated Ninasam theatre festival at Heggodu on May 11, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Mr. Tangadai appreciated the achievements of Ninasam over the decades. The organisation had produced talented artists. With minimum expenses, the institute has recorded impressive achievements. “The State Government is committed to encouraging cultural activities. I will ensure the organisation gets sufficient funds in the current financial year,” he said.

K.V. Akshara, who runs activities at the institute, narrated the history of the institute and its activities. He said that the government of Karnataka had provided altogether ₹8.5 crore for its activities between 1980 and March 2025. The amount provided over 45 years was approximately one-third of the amount spent on the annual Kannada Sahitya Sammelana. “Besides the State Government, the Central Government provided ₹5 crore so far. A few private foundations have contributed funds for the activities. So far, the theatre institute has trained more than 650 students, who have been active in different fields, including cinema and television media,” he said.

Mr. Akshara said the Shivarama Karnath Ranga Mandira was built in 1978 at a cost of ₹85,000. “The time has come to renovate the structure. To change the roof alone, ₹75 lakh is required. We submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in 2024, the year when Ninansam completed 75 years. We are requesting funds to continue the activities,” he said.

Sagar MLA Belur Gopala Krishna said that the contribution of K.V. Subbanna, the founder of Ninasam, to Kannthe Kannada literary world and theatre had been immense. He founded the organisation in a village, and brought intellectuals and theatre personalities from different parts of the world. The institute requires funds to continue its activities. “I will ensure the institute gets sufficient funds from the government,” he added.

Ninasam executive committee president Siddhartha Bhat and Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation president Ravikumar were present.

Show delayed

A play based on Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage and her Children was staged on the first day of the five-day festival on May 11. The play has been directed by M. Ganesh. But, the show was delayed.

The show, as part of the Ninasam theatre festival, was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., but was delayed by more than one hour and 15 minutes.

Minister for Kannada and Culture Shivaraj Tangadagi was scheduled to inaugurate the festival at 5 p.m. However, he reached the venue at 7 p.m. The inaugural ceremony ended at 8.15 p.m., delaying the show.

The institute is known to follow a strict time schedule while organising theatre events. Theatre-lovers from many distant places, including Shivamogga, Sagar and many nearby villages, visit Heggodu to watch the plays. Some of them were seen expressing their disappointment at the delay. They said a delay was seldom experienced at Heggodu.