Noted theatre personality Chidambararao Jambe passes away

Noted theatre personality Chidambara Rao Jambe, known for training hundreds of artists, has passed away at his residence in Heggodu, Sagara taluk. The 77-year-old had been battling respiratory ailments for the past two months. His wife, Bharathi Jambe, and son, Jakkana Jambe, are survived by him. Born in Adderi, Sagara taluk, Jambe was first introduced to theatre in his youth and later graduated from the National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi.

He served as the principal of the Ninasam Ranga Shikshana Kendra in Heggodu for over 20 years, training numerous theatre students who went on to become prominent directors and actors. Subsequently, he worked at a theatre school in Sanehalli, Chitradurga district, and with the NSD's chapters in Bengaluru and Varanasi. He directed plays such as Loka Shakuntala, Chirebandi Wada, Taledanda, Sharmistha, Malathi Madhava, and Nammolagobba Gandhi, among others for various theatre groups in Karnataka and beyond.

Jambe held the positions of director of Rangayana in Mysuru and head of the NSD's Bengaluru centre. Prasanna D. Sagar, director of Rangayana in Shivamogga, who worked with Jambe for several years, highlighted his exceptional experience in establishing theatre schools, stating that "no other figure in Indian theatre had such extensive experience in building theatre schools."

Hundreds of his students are mourning his death, praising his unique talent in extracting the best from performers. The final rites will be held in Adderi, his native village in Sagara taluk, on Sunday according to family sources.