Benaka (acronym for Bengaluru Nagara Kalavidaru), a theatre repertory founded in 1974 by thespian B.V. Karanth, will organise a month-long celebration this September to mark his 98th birth anniversary. ‘Karantha Maasa’ will bring together theatre performances, workshops, music, and other cultural programmes that reflect his rich artistic legacy and belief in taking theatre to wider audiences.

Benaka will travel to Dharwad for a three-show theatrical tour on September 5 and 6. This will be followed by a theatre festival at Kalagrama in Bengaluru on September 16. The event will open with ‘Baba Karantha’, a biographical play portraying the life and contributions of the late thespian. On September 18, 21, and 22, a theatre workshop at Ravindra Kalakshetra will explore contemporary practices and challenges, including the emerging role of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The plays ‘Hayavadana’, ‘Sattavara Neralu’, and ‘Gokula Nirgamana’ will be staged alongside the workshop on the respective days.

Tekion, a U.S.-based automotive retail tech company, announced a partnership with Benaka on Sunday to support Karantha Maasa. The initiative is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.