Moodubelle, 21 May 2012: Shri Mahaganapati Shri Mahalingeshwara Mahila Yakshagana Mandali, Pernankila celebrated its Decennial year on Sunday, May 29, 2012 at 5 pm at Shri Ganesha Kala Mandir, Hiriadka. Dr. Devdas Kamath of Kamath Nursing Home, Hiriadka presided over the function. U.R. Sabhapati, former MLA and Director of Shri K. Satischandra Hegde Memorial Green Park Central School inaugurated the function. Other guests included Madhava Naik, Headmaster of Zilla Panchayat Model Higher Primary School, Hiriadka and Ramachandra Rao, President of Shri Ganesh Kala Mandir, Hiriadka.
During the function, Malpe Vasudeva Samaga, Senior Yakshagana Artist and Director of Sayama Manur and Manjunatha Kulal Irody of Sasthan and the disciple of Bannanje Shri Sanjiva Suvarna, Yakshagana Center, Indrali were honoured for their contribution to the promotion of Yakshagana art in the region.
In his presidential address, Dr. Devdas Kamath said that Yakshagana performing art has been a rich cultural tradition in coastal Karnataka. However, it is sad that since few years, this art is gradually becoming less popular as the modern young generation does not show any interest in this art form. This younger generation is too busy in TV, internet and mobile culture as well as filmy concerts. Hence, they do not appreciate the rich tradition of Yakshagana. It is the duty of parents to guide their children and infuse in them the appreciation of our own culture and traditions which have been in existence for thousands of years. Dr. Kamath had a special word of appreciation for the Mhila Yakshagana Mandali which completed ten years of his service to Yakshagana and wished them well in their future endeavours.
Though Lalaji R. Mendon, MLA of the Kaup Constituency, the chief guest could not attend the function in the beginning due to his other engagements, he made it a point to visit the venue dduring the Yakshagana performance and wish well to the Mahila Yakshagana Mandali of Pernankila on the occasion of their Decennial celebrations.
Since the last ten years, the Mahila Yakshagana Mandali of Pernankila with the aim of training the girls in the Yakshagana art has been doing wonderful work in promoting Yakshagana in and around Pernankila and Hiriadka. The Mandali was started under the direction of Manjunath Kulal, a disciple of the ‘guru’ of Yakshagana Center, Shri Bannanje Sanjiva Suvarna who still trains the girls of the Mandali. The Mhila Yakshagana Mandali had given Yakshagana performances at Puttige, Hiriadka, Perduru, Aruru, Udupi and other places.
Divyashri welcomed the guests and Lakshminarayan Prabhu, Vice President of Kodibettu Grama Panchayat compeered the programme and proposed the vote of thanks.
After the Decennial function, the Mahila Yakshagana Mandali presented the Prasanga titled “Bhakta Sudhanva”. In the background, Chandrakanata Rao, Moodubelle was the Bhagwat, Maddhali was by Ratnakara Acharya K.J. and Chande was by Ganesh Shenoy. Make up was by Subbanna Bhat and group of Ajapur Yakshagana Mandali, Handadi, Brahmavara. The Prasanga was directed by Manjunath Kulal. The artists who presented the Prasanga included: Meghshree, Bhumika, Gurav, Likhita, Jayanti, Rajeevi, Geetha, Kavitha, Maitreyi, Prasad, Divyashree, Shreya, Anushree and Soumya.