Zee Theatre brings socially relevant teleplays to Karnataka in Kannada and Telugu

Zee Theatre expands its repertoire of socially relevant teleplays to Karnataka, offering a range of narratives in Kannada and Telugu that address issues like gender violence, patriarchy, casteism, and more.

Transcending Language Barriers to Promote Socially Relevant Theatre in Karnataka

The recent initiative by Zee Theatre to bring its collection of socially relevant teleplays to the Kannada-speaking audience in Karnataka is truly commendable. This move not only acknowledges the rich theatrical legacy of the state but also recognizes the deep interest of Karnataka in literature, performing arts, and social issues.

By offering a diverse range of teleplays in Kannada and Telugu, Zee Theatre ensures that language is no longer a barrier when it comes to accessing powerful narratives. The curated collection addresses a multitude of pressing issues such as gender violence, class struggle, patriarchy, and colorism, shedding light on the stark contrast between the privileged and the marginalized.

One of the key strengths of this initiative lies in its ability to resonate with the audience on a universal level. The relatable characters portrayed in these plays highlight universal conflicts and struggles, allowing viewers to connect with the stories regardless of their background or language. This approach not only promotes inclusivity but also fosters a sense of empathy and understanding among diverse communities.

Moreover, the decision to air these teleplays in their original language and provide the option to switch to Kannada is laudable. It empowers subscribers to engage with the content in a language they are comfortable with, enhancing their overall viewing experience. This accessibility further ensures that the powerful messages embedded in plays like ‘Court Martial’ and ‘Purush’ reach a wider audience, transcending linguistic boundaries.

The scheduled airtime of these teleplays, every Sunday at 2 pm and 8 pm, sets a dedicated slot for viewers to enjoy quality theatre from the comfort of their homes. This consistency allows the audience to anticipate and engage with the content, creating a habit of cultural enrichment and intellectual stimulation.

Overall, Zee Theatre‘s endeavor to promote socially relevant theatre in Karnataka is a positive step towards bridging the gap between different cultures and languages. By bringing thought-provoking narratives to the forefront and addressing pressing social issues, this initiative has the potential to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. It reaffirms the power of theatre as a medium that transcends boundaries, provokes critical thought, and encourages dialogue.

Transcending Language Boundaries: Zee Theatre Brings its Rich Repertoire of Socially Relevant Teleplays to Karnataka

Evocative narratives like ‘Gunehgaar’, ‘Sir Sir Sarla,’ ‘Gudiya ki Shaadi’ and many more can now be enjoyed in Kannada & Telugu

Karnataka has a rich theatrical legacy and among its many stalwarts was Girish Karnad who wrote his first play ‘Yayati’ in Kannada in 1961. B. V. Karanth, who was the iconic director of the National School of Drama, set up ‘Benaka’, one of Bangalore’s oldest theatre groups. Understanding Karnataka’s deep interest in literature, performing arts, and social issues, Zee Theatre now brings its rich repertoire of socially relevant themes to the Kannada-speaking audience. Be it stories rich with emotion, historic narratives, suspense thrillers, legal dramas or socially relevant themes, audiences will be now able to see these teleplays (plays recorded for television) in Kannada. These teleplays are also available in Telugu.

These teleplays address issues like gender violence, class struggle, patriarchy, and colourism and depict the stark contrast between the privileged and the marginalized.

‘Gunehgaar’ is about the fault lines in the justice system while ‘Gudiya Ki Shaadi’, ‘Maa Retire Hoti Hai’, ‘ Purush’, and ‘Ok Tata Bye Bye’ reveal different shades of patriarchy. ‘Agnipankh’ explores feudalism while ‘Sir Sir Sarla’ is about the social restrictions placed upon love. ‘Rishton Ka Live Telecast’ and ‘Shyam Ki Mummy are relatable family dramas. ‘Internal Affairs’ is about contemporary relationships while ‘Wrong Turn’ portrays the cycle of cause and effect in human lives. ‘Court Martial’ addresses casteism and ‘Sach Kahoon Toh’ is an intriguing legal thriller.

In these thoughtfully curated and archived plays, audiences in Karnataka will also meet a wide range of relatable characters grappling with universal issues and conflicts.

Shailja Kejriwal, Chief Creative Officer – Special Projects, ZEE, says, “Theatre cannot be restricted to just one language. It is rooted in universal concerns and speaks to and for all human beings. This is one of the reasons why we have strategized to make our offerings accessible to a culturally vibrant state like Karnataka. We are trying to ensure that no linguistic barrier can restrict the reach of powerful teleplays like ‘Court Martial’ and ‘Purush’ or even a social comedy like ‘Gudiya’ Ki Shaadi’ which is an incisive comment on sexism and patriarchy.”

What is interesting about this new initiative is that even though the content will play in the original language, the subscribers have the power to switch from Hindi to the language (Kannada) through their remote (Dish TV & D2h – Yellow Button; Airtel Digital TV & Tata Play – Blue Button).

These plays will be aired every Sunday at 2 pm and 8 pm starting from July 2023 in a segment titled, ‘South Special Theatre.’ The plays will be available on Tata Play Theatre in Kannada and on Airtel Theatre & Dish TV & D2H Rangmanch Active in Kannada as well as Telugu.