Girish Karnad’s Tughlaq receives good response in Shivamogga

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The performance unfolded against an imposing fortress-like set that effectively evoked the historical period while lending visual grandeur to the stage. | Photo Credit: S.K. Dinesh

Girish Karnad’s seminal play Tughlaq, staged by the Sahyadri Ranga Tarang team in Shivamogga on Monday (October 5), drew a strong response from theatre lovers and reaffirmed the work’s enduring relevance.

Written in 1964 and set during the turbulent reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the production succeeded in speaking powerfully to present-day anxieties, drawing more than 500 spectators to Kuvempu Ranga Mandira.

The performance unfolded against an imposing fortress-like set that effectively evoked the historical period while lending visual grandeur to the stage. The simple yet striking design was widely appreciated for creating the right ambience without unnecessary embellishment. Lead performances stood out: H.S. Nagabhushan as Tughlaq, Poornima as the stepmother, N.K. Halesh as Barani, and N.K. Chidananda as Azeem delivered compelling portrayals that frequently drew spontaneous applause.

A few early scenes were hampered by background score and humming that overlapped dialogue, making it briefly difficult for the audience to follow. Once the technical balance improved, however, the actors’ strong performances and clear dialogue delivery held attention firmly through the rest of the evening.

The production demonstrated that Karnad’s exploration of idealism, power, and political disillusionment still strikes a chord more than six decades after it was written.

Director R.S. Halaswamy expressed gratitude for the audience’s warm reception. He was particularly moved by those who stayed back after the final curtain to congratulate individual actors. “Theatre lovers have shown that they continue to appreciate serious and significant plays,” he said.

The evening was dedicated to the memory of noted theatre director Chidambara Rao Jambe, who passed away recently.

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