Yakshagana Dialogue held at Mysore Association Auditorium: Uniqueness of Yakshagana should be unders

By Rons Bantwal
Bellevision Media Network

Mumbai (RBI), Jan. 25: It is impossible to make Yakshagana equal to other arts. For that, there is a need for basic lessons in Yakshagana. Even in an era that is shining on the world stage, no art can survive without experimentation. There should be a need for agreement in Yakshagana, but the uniqueness of Yakshagana should be understood. Also, the art should be developed in a way that does not become poor. Yakshagana is a theater, a literary one, yes. But drama is not like Kuchipudi. Innovation in art is a serious matter. But it is not easy to embellish traditional arts in a modern way, said Dr. M. Prabhakar Joshi, a senior Yakshagana artist and scholar of the Karnataka coast.

 

Dr. Joshi was speaking while presiding over a Yakshagana discussion organized by the Kannada Department of Mumbai University, Mysore Association and Kannadiga Artisan Parishad Maharashtra at the Mysore Association Auditorium on Bhavudaji Road, Matunga East, on Saturday evening.

 

Mumbai Yakshagana, Theatre Heritage and Challenges Dialogue Seminar conducted on Yakshagana Dialogue Syllabus, renowned artist Polya Lakshi Narayana Shetty spoke on Yakshagana episodes and background, artist Vasudeva Shetty Marnad on Talama Ddale Kootas and Arthagari, and Kannadiga Artists’ Parishad Maharashtra President Dr. Surendrakumar Hegde, senior artist Damodar Shetty Iruvailu on Yakshagana Mandals and performances, and artist Dr. Y.V. Madhusudan Rao on the subject of Mumbai Yakshagana Theatre expressed their views.

 

Dr. Joshi released the works of Dr. Y. Madhusudan’s Mahaprabhanda on Mumbai Yakshagana and Kolyaru Raju Shetty’s Kumaravyas, and Karna and Damodar Shetty’s Iruvail’s One Hundred and One Curses of Purana.

Senior artists like Dr. B.R. Manjunath, K. Manjunathaiah, Prakash Paniyur, Kolyaru Raju Shetty, Shankar Bhagwat Ellare, Lawyer Geetha R.L. Bhat, Ramesh Birti, Jagannath Shetty Sakinaka, Prabhakar Devadiga, Padmanabha Siddakatte, Ashok S. Suvarna, Ganesh Kumar, Surekha H. Devadiga and others participated in the interaction.

 

The senior Yakshagana Mandals of Mumbai were honored in the program. Naveen M. Poojary Paduinna was present on behalf of Sri Guru Narayana Yakshagana Mandal Santacruz (1945), Ravindra Pai Gangolli was present on behalf of Sri Yasambhava Yakshagana Mandal (1958), Polya Lakshi Narayana Shetty was present on behalf of Sri Durgaparameshwari Kripaposhitha Yakshagana Mandal (1967), Sri Geethambika Thumbay Raja accepted the honor on behalf of the Yakshagana Mandali Asalfa (1968), which was graced by the grace of the Lord.

 

The Head of Kannada Department, Dr. G.N. Upadhya, welcomed the gathering and said that the contribution made by the Mysore Association to the strengthening of art, Kannada language, literature and culture was very significant. It was named Karnataka. Such an art form that enhanced the greatness of Karnataka culture is still alive today. Yakshagana is not an art limited to the coastal areas of Karnataka. He said that the art of the country is the art of the country.

 

A large number of art lovers participated in the program, and senior artist, organizer G.T. Acharya and Dr. Purnima S. Shetty, associate professor of Kannada department, Mumbai University, conducted the program as coordinators. Dr. Ganapathi Shankaralinga, honorary secretary of the Mysore Association, proposed the vote of thanks.