Udupi: A team of 26 prisoners along with other inmates performed three plays at the MGM College from March 25 to 27. Convicts imprisoned for life, showcased their talents in plays such as ‘Maranayaka’ authored by H S Shivaprakash, ‘Bhagavadajjukkiyam- Sule Sanyasi’ by K V Subbanna, ‘and Jathegiruvanu Chandira’ by Jayanth Kaikini.
The concept was introduced by Hulugappa Kattimani, director Sankalpa Mysore.
A V Ramesh, a senior prisoner who has being serving a life sentence said that “these theatres give us chance to live an open life away from frustrations. It relaxes us mentally. This three-day theatre festival titled Jailininda Jailige Ranga yatre (Prison to Prison- Theatre Journey) organized by Sankalpa Mysore in association with Karnataka Prison Department at Udupi is a hope of ray to us”.
He added that “I am a farmer from Haduvalli in N R Pura. A murder case was brought against me in the year 1999. I was just married before my arrest. For many years I have been performing on stage as Antonio, Basavanna, Mahatma Gandhi and so on. Though I have experience in many theatre works I may not continue this as profession after my release from punishment, however I would always like to be associated with Hulugappa Kattimani, director Sankalpa Mysore”.
Mahesh Balagi, (29), was imprisoned when he was studying in PUC. He completed his bachelor’s degree while in prison and is now pursuing MA in political science in KSOU. Balagi from Mysore prison said that “I spent 12 years in prison for murdering my aunt, it was an unintentional crime, and my mother is also in the prison for being the part of the crime.
He added, “Initially I was depressed, however later I started adjusting with the situation. We have people who commit crimes unintentionally because of frustration and harassment”. “We always live in dark within the four walls of the prison.
Nanjunda from Mysore prison who completed his 14 years jail term and is now waiting for release says, “acting and Yoga created positive impact in life”.
Kattimani, said that “the theatre camp is meant to bring changes in the mind-set of the inmates. Theatre acting is an effort to bring the prisoners out of their limitations, and inspire them. It is a small effort from the organizers to inspire the actors (inmates) to aspire for the better future and develop hopes”.
The inspector in charge of the prison B Nagesh Rao from Mysore central prison said that the convict actors are accompanied by 7-8 policemen. He is confident that convicts will not escape. Most of the inmates duration of punishment are about to end so they will not flee, he added.
