An alleged attempt to set ablaze the Shantaveri Gopala Gowda Rangamandira, a theatre at Tumari in Sagara taluk of Shivamogga district, has left theatre-lovers, litterateurs and local residents disappointed.

Unknown miscreants barged into the theatre two days ago, breaking open the doors, ransacking furniture and emptying paint bottles procured for renovation work, besides allegedly attempting to set the structure ablaze.

The 40-year-old structure is known for hosting numerous theatre and cultural activities. Hundreds of people from different parts of the State have attended discussions and theatre shows held in the auditorium over the years.

The theatre was recently taken up for renovation at the cost of ₹25 lakh, granted by the State government. The local cultural organisation Abhivyakti Balaga was supervising the work.

Abhivyakti Balaga, in its complaint to the Kargal police, alleged that unknown persons damaged the property and attempted to burn it down. The incident has left residents of Tumari, known as a cultural centre, upset, the complaint said.

Taluk KDP member G.T. Sathyanarayana, expressing shock over the incident, demanded that the district police identify those responsible and take appropriate action. Raghavendra M., secretary of the forum, estimated the loss at ₹1 lakh.

People from different parts of the State also reacted to the incident. Poet and writer K.P. Suresh, in a social media post, termed the act heinous. “We were all looking forward to the inauguration of the renovated building. However, some depraved individuals attempted to set fire to the structure,” he said. Mr. Suresh has participated in and conducted several literary activities at the theatre in the past.

Kannada Development Authority chairperson and noted thinker Purushottama Bilimale, responding to the incident, stressed the need to punish those involved. Noted theatre personality Mime Ramesh condemned it as a despicable act and stressed the need for efforts to identify the reasons and people behind it. Prasad Raxidi, a theatre personality from Sakleshpur has also condemned the incident.

Raghu Halkere, a native of Tumari, said he was shocked to learn of the incident, which left him deeply hurt and frustrated. He said he had shared a special connection with the structure since childhood, as his father, Manjunath Bhat, a socialist, had organised several events there. He also hoped that those behind the act would repent in the future. Mr. Halkere conducts literary programme annually in memory of his father in the same theatre.

Meanwhile, in Shivamogga, representatives of Shantaveri Gopala Gowda Study Centre, led by Kallu Megharaj submitted a memorandum to Shivamogga SP B. Nikhil to investigate the case and arrest those involved in the crime.

Published - August 20, 2026 07:19 pm IST