Come Friday, Bangaloreans will see the magic of famous Kannada writer Tejaswi recreated onstage with the 50th edition of the play Jugari cross

K P Poornachandra Tejaswi, the famous Kannada novelist is always remembered for the vivid description of contemporary socio-political issues in all his novels. His novel, Jugari Cross is no exception. Based on it, Samudaya, a local theatre group will be performing the Kannada play of the same name this weekend for the 50th time in this city.



The play, which revolves around the lives of a farmer and his wife Suresh and Gowri, shows how external forces change the plans of their life. Explaining why Samudaya, a local theatre group chose to script Jugari Cross as a play, Venkatesh Prasad, who plays protagonist Suresh says, "This is a people's play. It talks about globalisation and shows how the super power is now controlling the destiny of the world."

Jugari Cross mirrors 24 hours in the lives of Suresh and Gowri. Jugari Cross is named after the meeting point of four roads in the play, which shows how life takes a sudden turn. The cross is also a place where people from different walks of life meu00a0et and underworld activities like smuggling and selling of intoxicants take place.

Suresh, an educated farmer sets out for a nearby town Devapura with his wife to sell their harvest of
cardamom at a higher price. But on their way, two goons place a box containing a mysterious red stone in their sack of cardamom. The play moves forward as the content of the box becomes the centre of attraction and it brings out the deep truth that all of us are puppets in the hands of some or the other 'boss', who controls our lives and fates.

u00a0Sharing what makes Suresh one of the most special characters that he has ever played, Prasad says, "Suresh is a subtle character and not a conventional hero, who takes on everyone single handedly. He is a normal person anyone can relate to. Playing him is almost being me onstage."

Though the original novel had no scope for songs, Jugari Cross, the play features about seven songs composed by Gajanand Naik. The songs, according to Prasad aim to take the story forward. Sensitive and sharp, Jugari Cross seems to be an attempt to make us face our lives and realise that we hardly have control over it.

At: Ranga Shankara, JP Nagar
On: October 15, 7.30 pm
Call: 99001 82400
For: Rs 70