Fri Feb 28 17:18:33 UTC 2025: ## Belagavi to Host Kannada Comedy Play to Support Children’s Education
**Belagavi, Karnataka (February 28, 2025):** The Sri Vireshwar Natya Sangha troupe will perform the Kannada comedy play “Kivuda Madida Kitapati” at the Kumar Gandharva Hall in Belagavi this Sunday, February 29th, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Proceeds from the performances will benefit children’s education.
The 22-member troupe, led by Vireesh Chalgeri and Meenakshi Davangere, is celebrating 13 years of professional theatre. President of Rangasampada, Arvind Kulkarni, expressed concern over the dwindling number of professional theatre groups in Karnataka, attributing the decline to the rise of amateur theatre, television, and YouTube. He highlighted the significant societal impact of professional theatre and urged the state government to build a theatre in each taluk to support its preservation. Kulkarni reminisced about the golden age of professional theatre in Karnataka, mentioning prominent troupes like those led by Enagi Balappa and Chindodi Leela, and the Sri Huchcheshwar Natya Sangha, which collectively supported numerous families. He lamented the significant reduction in the number of professional troupes from over 35 to a much smaller number today.
First Piper 