Mangaluru : As many as 12 plays are set to enthral theatre buffs of Mangaluru on Saturdays from October 5 to December 28 with the Padua Theatre Hub bringing together several artistes to fill the void of theatre activities in the city.

Hub Coordinator Chandrahas Ullal in a statement here said that attempts to build a Rangamandir to promote theatre and allied cultural activities in Mangaluru have not yielded any result in the last four decades. In this background, several artistes and technicians have come together to cater to the new audience through the Hub.

In this coordination, Lakshman Kumar Mallur from Bhoomika, Chandrahas Ullal from Aayana Nataka Mane, Jagan Pawar Bekal from Sanketh Kalavidaru, Sashiraj Rao Kavoor from Ranga Sangaathi, Viddu Uchchil from Journey Theatre troupe, Christopher Neenasam from Ranga Adhyayana Kendra, Padua, Vani Perody from Tarikita Kalakammata, Arehole Sadashiva Rao from Arehole Pratishthana, Santhosh Shetty from Sadananda Suvarna Pratishthana and others have come together. Some more teams have expressed the desire to join the Hub.

Mr. Ullal said that Padua College of Commerce and Management in Nanthoor has agreed to host the weekend plays as it has the infrastructure, including lighting, stage and sound system, along with open air as well as indoor theatres.

With these preparations, the Hub has decided to stage one weekend play every Saturday from October 5 without any entry fee. Meanwhile, the Hub would formally come into existence at the hands of writer Chandrakala Nandavara and Azim Premji Foundation’s State head Umashankar Perody at 6.30 p.m. on October 5 at the venue, Mr. Ullal said.

The plays would be staged at 6.30 p.m. on Saturdays. They include Mattobba Maayi by Ranga Nirantara, Bengaluru (October 5); Dweepa by Aayana Nataka Mane (October 12); Gokula Nirgamana by Nandagokula (October 19); The Leader by Aayana Nataka Mane (October 26); Masquerade workshop play by Padua Ranga Adhyayana (November 2); Nemmadi Apartment by Ranga Sangaathi (November 9); Gandhi by students of government school, Puttur (November 16); Radha by Nrityalaya, Puttur (November 23); Kowdi and Sann Timmi Love Purana by Tharikita Kalakammata (November 30); Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Padua Institutions (December 7) and Arehole Rangahabba-theatre festival by Arehole Pratishthana on December 14, 21 and 28.