Chitte | A solo play in Kannada

We are pleased to invite you to a performance of Chitte, a play in Kannada, to be held at the Indian Heritage Academy (IHA), Koramangala, Bengaluru. Chitte, which translates to ​“butterfly”, is a heartfelt story of Paapani, played by 13-year-old Gokula Sahrudaya, who is searching for love in the world.

This event is in collaboration with Azim Premji University.

Credits:

Playwright: Dr. Beluru Raghunandan | Director: Krishnamurthy Kavathar

Artiste: Gokula Sahrudaya

Duration: 60 mins | Age 5 and above

About the play:

CHITTE, (butterfly), is a poignant narrative centred around a child named Paapani, who views the world with wonder and seeks love and affection in his surroundings. The play highlights various influences on a child’s life, including parental love and care, the educational system and the engagement of every individual in society.

Directed by Krishnamurthy Kavathar and written by Beluru Raghunandan, this solo performance lasts one hour and features a teenager who has successfully completed over one hundred shows, earning acclaim from theatre enthusiasts. The performer, Gokula Sahrudaya, has received accolades from numerous prominent theatre artists for his remarkable transformation, dedication, and talent in acting.

Read the review of Chitte

Artistes

Director: Krishnamurthy Kavathar

Theatre artist Krishnamurthy Kavathar has over 200 highly acclaimed Kannada plays to his credit. From a young age, he was influenced by various art forms, including Yakshagana, Bhootha Kola, prayers, music of Dakshina Kannada, etc., which have significantly influenced his work.

In addition to his accomplishments as a playwright, Krishnamurthy Kavathar is a skilled drama teacher who advocates the principle of ​‘to not act but feel,’ which serves as the cornerstone of his students’ training. He continually seeks innovative possibilities across all dimensions of theatre. In recognition of his contributions, Kavathar was honoured with the Karnataka Nataka Academy award in 2017.

Playwright: Beluru Raghunandan

Belur Raghunandan is a distinguished Kannada playwright known for his distinctive style and expressions. He has authored 16 plays that explore a variety of subjects and themes, such as legends, epics, folk tales, relationships, and the psychological states of women and children, as well as gender dynamics. His plays have been translated into several languages, including English, Hindi, Konkani, and Tamil.

In 2017, he was nominated by the Karnataka Government as a member of the Karnataka Nataka Academy. Raghunandan has received numerous accolades, including the Kuvempu Yuvakavi felicitation, Jyothi felicitation, Bendre Grantha prize, Salumarada Thimmakka Hasiru award, among other prestigious honours recognising his significant contribution to literature and theatre.

Artist: Gokula Sahrudaya

From the age of four, Sahrudaya cultivated a passion for theatre at the Vijayanagara Bimba (Centre for Theatre Education), Bengaluru. He has participated in numerous theatre workshops from a very young age and has performed in over ten productions. His training includes work with various directors, and he has acted in notable plays such as ​‘Saalumarada Taayi Thimmakka’, ​‘Rubik’s Cube’, and ​‘Arabian Nights’, among others.

Currently, Sahrudaya is showcasing a solo, one-hour experimental theatre performance titled ​‘Chitte’, directed by Krishnamurthy Kavathar. This production has successfully completed one hundred stage performances.

Host or Publisher Indian Heritage Academy