G ubbi
Veeranna Rangamandira (GVR) is a theatre staging only Kannada
plays throughout the year. Most of the dramas have good taste
and convey across a social message. The auditorium is situated
in the busy Gandhinagar area - a hub for cinema production,
exhibition and commercial activities.
The auditorium is named after one of the great theatre personalities
of Karnataka - Gubbi Veeranna. The foundation stone was laid
by the then Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde in 1987. Gubbi
Veeranna Rangamandira was inaugurated on May 20th 1992
by the then Chief Minister, S Bangarappa. Now the theatre
is under the purview of the Bangalore City Corporation (BCC).
Acc ording
to the area Corporator, Ashok B Dani, GVR is completely
maintained and managed by the BCC. The Executive Engineer
of BCC visits the theatre everyday for its maintenance. The
BCC Commissioner also supervises the GVR. The theatre is equipped
with all requirements - electricity, water, lighting and stage
acoustics. Adequate parking space is available for vehicles.
The theatre has a seating capacity of 525. "There should
not be any vulgarity in the drama scenes. The dramas staged
here should have an ethical message to the audience along
with the entertainment. On that basis only we allow the drama
companies to stage their dramas", says Ashok B Dani.
The total cost of the building is Rs 2 crores, according
to the Corporator. He said t hat
Gubbi Veeranna lived in Gandhinagar. The area MLA, Dinesh
Gundu Rao is also very helpful in the activities of the GVR,
he added. There is much demand for the GVR from professional
drama companies. "But we want to give a chance to every
drama company," says Ashok B Dani
Presently, BCC collects Rs 1000 as rent per day and allows
the drama company to stage two shows everyday and three shows
on Sundays. Presently, a Kannada drama with a social theme,
'Kaalu Kedarida Hennu' (meaning, a ferocious
woman ready for fight) by Sri Guru Thontadarya Natya Sangha,
Mandalagiri, Koppala district is being staged since April
26th of this year.
Veeraiah Swamy, the proprietor of the  drama
company told bangalorebest.com that their drama has
so far, staged 50 shows. He said there is very good response
from the audience. The show timings are: 3-15 pm and 6-15
pm every day and on Sundays, there will be an extra
show at 12-15pm. He said that the matinee shows usually
run to a packed house everyday. His eight year old drama troupe
comprises of 45 members..
There is no dearth for audience for the vernacular stage
performances even in this modern age of entertainment. Polisana
magalu (Policeman's daughter) staged by Chindodi Leela
and her troupe staged 1,030 shows in this auditorium.
Address:
Gubbi Veeranna Rangamandira,
Y. Ramachandra Road, 6th Main,
Gandhinagar,
Bangalore-560 009.
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