Nataka Chaitra - 2022: Kattale Belaku

The play is the story of a playwright who is being cajoled by two manipulative and persistent theater producers. The story reflects the whimsical, sad, amoral, and satirical happenings in society and shows its impact on our uninspired playwright. The jaded and indifferent attitude of the playwright towards these incidents reflects any of us. It forces us to ask the questions “What does it take for us to react?” “What does it take for us to engage?” in a captivating, funny but touching way. Have you caught yourself asking these questions recently?

Written By : Padma bhushana Sriranga

Directed By : Sharmila Vidyadhara

sharmila vidyadhara

Direction

Sharmila Vidyadhara is the founder and president of Nataka Chaitra. She has a rich experience of acting and directing several plays in the US and India. She is a multi-faceted actor who has acted in plays of all kinds of genres and different kinds of roles. Sharmila has deep interest in sports, cinema and theater and she has represented India in Basketball. By profession, she is a veteran of semiconductor electronics engineering sales.

showtimes

SATURDAY, MAY 7th 2022

Date: May 7, 2022Time: 5:30 PMSeating Starts At: 5:00 PMLocation: Ann Sobrato High School, 401 Burnett Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037

SUNDAY, MAY 8th 2022

Date: May 8, 2022Time: 5:30 PMSeating Starts At: 5:00 PMLocation: Ann Sobrato High School, 401 Burnett Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Nataka Chaitra has pledged its net proceeds from the Kattale Belaku shows to SEWA International.

Nataka Chaitra donated proceeds from the 2022 production of Kattale BeLaku to SEWA International.

Sewa International is a nonprofit service organization that specializes in disaster relief and rehabilitation. Their development programs focus on family services; child, tribal and refugee welfare; women empowerment; health; and education.

CAST

GOURAV SHET (Mukha)

2019 was the year Gourav first had the opportunity to be part of a comedy play. Since then he has been part of three plays with characters ranging from a thief to Lord Bharatha. He was inspired by the art form when he watched a play called “Mooru Mutthu” in his 6th grade. After observing the deep impact this play left on the audience, he decided to engage himself in entertaining people. Over the years the challenges of playing different roles has kept him hooked to theater. He works as a Design Engineer in a Semiconductor company and dancing has been his go to hobby!

ASHOK HANDIGOL (Playwright/Naataka-kaara)

Ashok has deep interest in theater, literature and public speaking. He has been associated with Nataka Chaitra for a very long time. He has acted in many Kannada plays in the Bay Area. By profession, he is a software development professional with expertise in program management. He has held several key positions in Toastmaster's club and is an active leader in "VakpatugaLu", a Kannada Toastmaster's club in the Bay Area.

NIVEDITHA KASHYAP (Producer)

Niveditha’s foray into theater began at a young age of 8 under her father’s tutelage. From there on she has donned pivotal roles in many plays which have bagged her awards at various state level drama competitions. She has had the privilege of acting under renowned directors like R. Nagesh, T.S. Nagabharana, B. Jayashree, Rajendra Karanth and Abhishek Iyengar.

Niveditha hails from a family of Kannada laureates. She is the great-granddaughter of Prof. T.S. Venkannaiah and grandniece of Ta. Ra Su. She extends her gratitude to her parents and grandmother who were instrumental in instilling in her fervor and avidity for theater, literature and all things art. She lives with her husband Sreenath Kalahasti who shares the same passion for arts.

This is Niveditha’s 5th play with Nataka Chaitra and is delighted to be back on stage.

SANDEEP CHANDRASHEKAR (Manager)

Sandeep Chandrashekar a theater enthusiast, dynamic, ambitious, highly motivated and accomplished married individual. He has been part of several plays and skits in the past. With Nataka Chaitra, he has acted in 'Magadi Days', 'Gangavatarana' and 'Jasma Odan' and is super exited to be part of another amazing production. He has deep interest in Photography. He works as Sr Business Systems Analyst at a e-commerce startup.

VINAY BHARDWAJ (Police Constable)

Vinay Bhardwaj is a long time Bay Area resident. He is a literature & theater enthusiast. Kattale-Belaku is his 3rd production with Nataka Chaitra. Prior to this, he was seen in Muddanna Promotion Prasanga and Jasma Odan. He is thrilled to see live theater back after the huge 2year gap!

DHANANJAYA KENGAIAH (Maava)

Being in Bay Area known for many theater enthusiasts and groups, Dhananjaya has played important roles in Kannada organizations after which he was introduced to Nataka Chaitra. He feels fortunate to get opportunities to perform in plays like MaLe Danda and Gangavatarana. Theater is his new found interest among other hobbies. He feels blessed to have been living a contented life here in Bay Area with many friends.

VASANTH BALAGERE (Malla)

Vasanth Balagere's life is software but love is drama. Since a kid, he loves drama and comedy skits. After moving to Bay Area he has acted in several dramas under the direction of famous directors like Jayadev Mohan, Mandya Ramesh, T.S.Nagabharana and Abhishek Iyengar, from 2012. This is his fifth drama in Nataka Chaitra.

VIKRAM HOLLA (Humba)

Vikram Holla is one of the core team members of Nataka Chaitra. His interest in theater lighting has added color to Nataka Chaitra’s productions. Apart from occasional acting, he is also interested in Kannada literature, culture and history, writing articles, and poems. He loves hiking and spending time in nature and mountains. Software product development is his profession.

BHARAT SRIPADA (Shumba)

Bharat is passionate about acting and has a zeal for theater. He was involved in various plays and cultural activities during his School and College days. He is associated with Nataka Chaitra since 2016 and has donned many types of roles. He has also written and directed a short movie. By profession, he is a leader in quality control of software applications. At his spare time he loves to play Cricket and Tennis.

SHARMILA VIDYADHARA (Madhyamadaaki)

SNEHA CHILAKWAD (Rich Wife)

Sneha hails from a family of theater and radio artists. She has acted in several dramas broadcast on All India Radio, Dharwad. She is a Pharmacist by profession and enjoys oil/acrylic painting in her spare time. After acting in “Choorikatte arthath Kalyanapura”, “Kattale-BeLaku” is her second production with Nataka Chaitra. She loves acting and is thrilled to be a part of Nataka Chaitra after a long gap.

SAMARTH BHUSHAN (Driver)

Samarth is an Engineer by profession and works for a startup in Bay Area. He is passionate about Painting, Literature, Music and Photography. His association with Nataka Chaitra started in 2019 by assisting in making the wonderful set for Wade Trilogy. The journey continued with Jasma Odan and played the role of Vishal in Nataka Chaitra’s first virtual play ‘Lockdown’. He is very happy for the continued association with NC and considers it as a school of learning discipline, values along with acting. Though he is new to acting, he has always been an admirer of theater, playwrights and acting in general.

In his free time, he enjoys teaching Kannada to kids, play flute, read books and cook for his friends!

HEMANT H M (Young Husband)

Hemanth is an Engineering Manager at PayPal Inc. TC39 Delegate, ECMA GA Rep; Google Developer Expert for Web && Payments. DuckDuckGo community leader. Member of Node.js Foundation. Google Startups Accelerator mentor.

Got into the theater at a young age in Bengaluru took part in multiple plays and won best actor for the National College award, is into photography and podcasting.

Is happy to relive the theater days with the opportunity at Nataka Chitra 🤓

AKSHATA DESHPANDE (Young Wife)

Akshata Brahmavar is a Business Intelligence data analyst in San Francisco . She had theatre experience in singing and acting back in India where she was part of many dramas including Rangatorana and Bendre Film Festival. This is her second collaboration with the wonderful Nataka Chaitra team with first one being a part of the singing group of Jasma Odan.