The success of Rajarajeswari Nataka Mandali tempted every professional troupe of Indian state of Karnataka to visit the coastal tract; and the coastal towns relished the performances of Garud Sadashivarao, Mohamad Peer and K. Hirannayya who visited it frequently. The only exception, to the otherwise sorry and short lived troupes of the coast, was Sri Amba Prasadita. Karnataka Nataka Mandali (1920-1940) owned by M. Ranganatha Bhatta. This troupe frequently toured the length and breath of Karnataka. By the year 1930, the Rajarajeswari Nataka Mandali had become a competent rival even to the well established troupes in other parts of Karnataka. It came to be known for its imposing performances of mythological plays like Dhruva and Harischandra, the historical ones like Ajanmakumari and Sinhagada and popular social plays like Rayara Sose and Nisa Mahime. Reviews of the time plays highly of the troupes for its natural settings, strikingly appropriate costumes and also the magnificent acting of Rangnatha Bhatta. Sri Bhatta, with his imposing personality and thunderous voice played leading roles with great understanding. The masterpiece of the troupe was Rayara Sose (Kannada version of the Marathi play - Pantachi Sun) in which Ranganatha Bhatta played the doctor with mastery in the portrayal of mixed emotions. The Kannada land respected his talent and honoured him with rewards and titles like Abhinaya Bhusana and Natyakala Visarada. Disbanding his troupe early in the forties, Ranganatha Bhatta sought a settled life in Mangalore. Many other professional troupes came up in the coast, the prominent of which were Manamohan Nataka Mandali, Panchalingeshwara Natak Mandali and Raiarajeshwari Natak Mandali but they staged plays only to entertain the coastal towns of Karnataka. |