Lecture-Demonstration on the Folk Theatre of Bayalata

The demonstration will showcase the storytelling, acting, dialogue, traditional movements, music, costumes, and theatrical conventions of Bayalata, bringing the story to life for a contemporary audience. The story, written by Dr. Basavaraja Malshati, portrays Girija’s deep devotion and determination to attain Lord Shiva, her penance, and the eventual divine wedding. Through lively characters, expressive acting, traditional music and the energetic style of Bayalata, the narrative unfolds as both a sacred tale and a vibrant theatrical experience. The performance celebrates themes of devotion, love, perseverance and the union of divine energies, while preserving the distinctive visual and performative elements of Karnataka’s folk theatre tradition. Cast Girija and Rathi: Dr. Sahana Pinjar Shiva: Syed Sadiq S Manmatha: Nehar Ahamada Sutradhara: Anklesh H Sarathi: K Nagaraj Music Tabla: Gadhlingappa Harmonium: Eraswami About the Artists Dr. Sahana Pinjar A dedicated theatre practitioner, researcher, and CCRT Senior Fellow, Sahana‘s creative practice spans grassroots cultural documentation, indigenous folk traditions, and community-engaged arts. Currently a Syndicate member of Karnataka Folklore University and a former member of Ranga Samaja, she has trained at Ninasam and the National School of Drama, and has a Ph.D. from Bangalore University. She has participated in workshops with the American Bread and Puppet Theatre, and the Swedish Centre of the ITI and SIDA where she learned to apply theatre methodologies to formal education. She also completed an acting workshop based on the Grotowski system by experts from Teatr Zar, Poland, along with a workshop on Lighting and Stage Management by experts from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, England. Having worked with renowned directors, her practice bridges rigorous academic research and social advocacy. She leads youth and children's theatre through Hosapete's 'Bahutva Kala Tanda' and conducts inclusive workshops for marginalised youth. She has been recognised as one of the Deccan Herald Changemakers in 2025, and has received the Ranga Ratna Award 2026, an India Foundation for the Arts’ Kali Kalisu Project Grant 2016 and an HRD Scholarship. Her work serves as a vital conduit for cultural preservation, empowering grassroots traditions and fostering community dialogue. Syed Sadiq S Syed Sadiq S is an actor, director and theatre educator with over 15 years of sustained engagement with theatre in Karnataka. For him, theatre is not merely a performing art but a powerful medium for learning, self-expression, dialogue, connecting with people and communities, and understanding the complexities of human experience. He holds a Master’s degree in Cooperative Management from the University of Mysore and a Master’s degree in Theatre from Karnataka State Dr. Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University, Mysuru. In 2013–14, he underwent intensive professional theatre training at the Ninasam Theatre Institute, Heggodu. He is based in Hosapete, where he founded Bahutva, an arts organisation committed to introducing theatre to children and young people. Through Bahutva, he works towards creating spaces where young people can experience theatre not simply as performance, but as a process of learning, imagining, communicating and self-discovery. K Nagaraj K Nagaraj is a stage artist from rural Karnataka. He practices Chowdike, a traditional single-stringed folk instrument and musical storytelling form. The Chowdike is played as a background instrument in praise of the goddess Shakti Devi. Nagaraj grew up surrounded by its s