Yakshagana is a musical theater popular in the coastal and Malenadu regions of
KarnatakaKarnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
,
IndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Yakshagana is the recent (200 years) scholastic name for what are known as
kēḷike, āṭa, bayalāṭa, bayalāṭa, daśāvatāra . It is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theatre during Bhakti movement. Yakshagana is popular in the districts of
Uttara KannadaUttara Kannada also known as North Canara or North Kanara, is a district in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. It is bordered by the state of Goa and Belgaum District to the north, Dharwad District and Haveri District to the east, Shimoga District and Udupi District to the south and the...
,
Udupi,
Dakshina Kannada- Geography :The district geography consists of sea shore in the west and Western Ghats in the east. The major rivers are Netravathi, Kumaradhara, Phalguni, Shambhavi, Nandini or Pavanje and Payaswini which all join Arabian sea. Vast areas of evergreen forests which once covered this district, have...
, Shimoga and
Kasaragod districtKasaragod District is one of the districts of the Indian state of Kerala. Kasaragod District was organised as a separate district on 24 May 1984...
. Yakshagana is gaining popularity in
BangaloreBengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
since a few years. It has drawn comparisons to the Western tradition of
operaOpera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
. Actors wear costumes and enact various roles. Traditionally, Yakshagana would go on all night. It is sometimes simply called as
"play" in both Kannada and Tulu.
Yaksha-gana literally means the song (
gana) of a
yaksha, which was a term for
exotic tribes of ancient IndiaThe classic Indian epics such as the Mahabharata, the Ramayana and the Puranas refer to many exotic tribes, describing them as superhuman or subhuman. Narrations about these tribes are often mixed with mythology and fiction...
.
Yakshagana consists of a
himmela "background music group" and a
mummela "dance and dialog group", which together perform
Yakshagana poetryYakshagana poetry is a collection of Kannada poems used to enact a music dance drama called Yakshagana. The poems are composed in well known Kannada metres using the frame work of Yakshagana Raga and Yakshagana Tala. Yakshagana also has what is called a Yakshagana metre...
.
Himmela consist of a
bhagawata "singer" who is also the director (also called the first actor,
modalane vesha),
maddaleThe maddale is a percussion instrument from Karnataka, India. It is the primary rhythmic accompaniment in a Yakshagana ensemble along with Chande. Maddale used in Yakshagana looks similar to Mridangam but is markedly different in structure, acustics, playing techniques and the rhythm system ....
,
harmoniumA harmonium is a free-standing keyboard instrument similar to a reed organ. Sound is produced by air being blown through sets of free reeds, resulting in a sound similar to that of an accordion...
for drone (
pungiThe pungi, also called the been, or bin is a wind instrument played by snake charmers in India. The pungi is similar to the Chinese Hulusi but has only two reed pipes, known as the "jivala". The pungi was improved to produce the Shehnai. The pungi originated in India and is still played by snake...
was used earlier) and
chandeThe chande is a drum used in the traditional and classical music of South India and particularly in Karnataka. It provides rhythmic accompaniment in several dance dramas of South India such as Yakshagana. It follows the Yakshagana Tala system...
(loud drums). The music is based on
CarnaticCarnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
ragaYakshagana Rāga refers to melodic modes used in Yakshagana. It is based on pre-classical melodic forms that comprise of a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is founded. Yakshagana Ragas have indigenous ragas and others derived from other forms of music...
s characterised by melodic patterns called
Mattu and
Yakshagana TalaYakshagana Tala , is a rhythmical pattern in Yakshagana that is determined by a composition called Yakshagana Padya. Tala also decides how a composition is enacted by dancers. It is similar to Tala in other forms of Indian music, but is structurally different from them...
. Yakshagana Talas are believed to be based on patterns which later evolved into Carnatic talas.
A Yakshagana performance begins at the twilight hours with the beating of several fixed compositions on drums called
abbara or
peetike for up to an hour before the actors get on the stage. The actors wear resplendent costumes, head-dresses, and face paints.
A performance usually depicts a story from
Indian epic poemsIndian epic poetry is the epic poetry written in the Indian subcontinent, traditionally called Kavya . The Ramayana and Mahabharata, originally composed in Sanskrit and translated thereafter into many other Indian languages, are some of the oldest surviving epic poems on earth and form part of...
and the
PuranasThe Puranas are a genre of important Hindu, Jain and Buddhist religious texts, notably consisting of narratives of the history of the universe from creation to destruction, genealogies of kings, heroes, sages, and demigods, and descriptions of Hindu cosmology, philosophy, and geography.Puranas...
. It consists of a narrator (
Bhagvatha) who either narrates the story by singing or sings prepared character dialogues, backed by musicians playing on traditional musical instruments as the actors dance to the music, with actions that portray the story as it is being narrated. All the components of Yakshagana, music, dance and dialog are improvised. Depending on the ability and scholarship of the actors, variation in dance and amount of dialog may change. It is not uncommon for actors to get into philosophical debates or arguments without going out of the framework of the character being enacted. The acting can be categorised as
method actingMethod acting is a phrase that loosely refers to a family of techniques used by actors to create in themselves the thoughts and emotions of their characters, so as to develop lifelike performances...
.
The Word and the World
Yakshagana is a traditional theater which was founded by Sri Madhwacharya and Popularised by Sri Narahari Thirtha which Consits form combining dance, music, actor-created dialogues, costume-makeup, and stage technique with a distinct style. It is closely connected with other forms prevailing in other parts of Karnataka, and its neighbouring states of
Andhra PradeshAndhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
,
Keralaor Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, Tamilnadu and Maharastra. According to noted theater artist and writer B.V Karanth, classical dance forms like Barathanatya originated from Yakshagana.
Yakshagana, like many other forms, defies neat classification into categories like folk, classical, rural. It can be included into each of these, or all of them together, depending upon our line of approach. Being a theater form, unlike a dance form, it is more plural and dynamic. And hence it exhibits many types and varieties inside itself. However, Yakshagana can be rightly called a traditional form. Primarily it is a name given to the form prevailing in Coastal and Malnad areas of Karnataka, though in fringe forms like Doddata are also called by the same name often, especially recently. The traditional theater form
Mudalpaya of Southern Karnataka, the
Doddata of Northern Karnataka, the
Kelike in the borders of Andhra Pradesh, the
Ghattadakore of Kollegal in Chamarajnagar district – are such forms. Among them, the
Ghattadakore is a direct branch of Coastal Yakshagana, while
Mudalapaya is the most closely connected form. There is a form called
Yakshaganamu in Andhra Pradesh also, which exhibits resemblance to the forms of Karnataka plateau region.
Yakshagana Raga
Yakshagana Rāga refers to melodic framework used in yakshagana. It is based on pre-classical melodic forms that comprise a series of five or more musical notes upon which a
melodyA melody , also tune, voice, or line, is a linear succession of musical tones which is perceived as a single entity...
is founded. Ragas in Yakshagana are closely associated with a set of melodic forms called Mattu. In Yakshagana tradition, rāgas are associated with different times of the night throughout which Yakshagana is performed.
Yakshagana Tala
Yakshagana Tala (
SanskritSanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
tāla) are frameworks for rhythms in Yakshagana that are determined by a composition called
Yakshagana PadyaYakshagana poetry is a collection of Kannada poems used to enact a music dance drama called Yakshagana. The poems are composed in well known Kannada metres using the frame work of Yakshagana Raga and Yakshagana Tala. Yakshagana also has what is called a Yakshagana metre...
. Tala also decides how a composition is enacted by dancers. It is similar to Tala in other forms of Indian music, but is structurally different from them. Each composition is set to one or more talas, and as a composition is rendered by Himmela, the percussion artist(s) play supporting the dance performance.
Yakshagana Prasanga
Yakshagana poetry (Yakshagana Padya or Yakshagana Prasanga) is a collection of poems written to form a music drama called Yakshagana. The poems are composed in well known Kannada metres using the frame work of
Yakshagana RagaYakshagana Rāga refers to melodic modes used in Yakshagana. It is based on pre-classical melodic forms that comprise of a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is founded. Yakshagana Ragas have indigenous ragas and others derived from other forms of music...
and
Yakshagana TalaYakshagana Tala , is a rhythmical pattern in Yakshagana that is determined by a composition called Yakshagana Padya. Tala also decides how a composition is enacted by dancers. It is similar to Tala in other forms of Indian music, but is structurally different from them...
. Yakshagana also has what is called a Yakshagana metre (prosody). The collection of Yakshagana poems forming a musical drama is called a Prasanga. Oldest surviving parasanga books are believed to have been composed in 15th century. Many compositions have been lost. There are evidences to show that oral compositions were in use before 15th century.
Costumes and ornaments
Yakshagna costumes are rich in color. The costumes or Vesha in Kannada depends on characters depicted in the play or prasanga. It also depends on Yakshagana style or tittu.
Badagutittu Yakshagana Ornaments are made out of light wood, mirror work, colored stones.
Though, lighter materials like thermocol are used in modern days, ornaments are still predominantly woodwork.
Yakshagana costumes consist of headgear (Kirita or Pagade), Kavacha that decorates chest, Buja Keerthi (armlets) that decorate shoulders, and belts (Dabu) all made up of light wood and covered with golden foil. Mirror works on these ornaments helps to reflect light during show and adds more color to costumes. These armaments are worn on a vest and covers upper half of the body. Lower half is covered with
KachcheThe dhoti or pancha is the traditional men's garment in the in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. A similar garment is worn in some rural areas of Punjab province in Pakistan, but the use is fast declining...
that comes in a unique combination of red, yellow and orange checks. Bulky pads (cloths) are used under
KachcheThe dhoti or pancha is the traditional men's garment in the in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. A similar garment is worn in some rural areas of Punjab province in Pakistan, but the use is fast declining...
and this makes actors different from general audience in size.
Bannada Vesha that involves detailed facial makeup is used to depict monsters. It may take 3 to 4hrs to complete makeup for certain vesha.
Traditionally, males are playing female roles in Yakshagana. However, more recently yakshagana has seen female artist who have performed in both male and female roles. Stree Vesha uses sari and other decorative ornaments.
Taala (Bells)
Yakshagana bellsThe Yakshagana bells or Yakshagana cymbal are a pair of finger bells made of a special alloy used in Yakshagana. They are used by the singer to keep the tempo and rhythm of Yakshagana performance. The tone of the bells usually fit the tonic of the singer or several octaves higher...
are a pair of finger bells made of a special alloy (traditional five metal). They are made to fit the tonic of the singer (bhagawatha). Usually professional singer carry more than one of their own finger bells to be able to sing for different drones. Pair of finger bells are available for different keys.
Tala (Bells) which plays a major role and its handled by "Bhagavatha". So it creates and decides the entire background music of Yakshagana.
Origin
Yakshagana is a recent scholastic name adopted for what were and are known as Kelike, Aata, Bayalaata, Dashavatara in Karnataka. Yakshagana actually refers to a style of writing and to the written material or the Yakshagana poems. There are questions on whether this writing system originated in Telugu literature and used for poems enacted in Bayalaata. Yakshagana performance is believed to have evolved from the now-extinct Ghandharva Grama musical system. Earliest mention is in Sangeetha Ratnakara of Sarngadeva (AD 1210) as Jakka later called Yekkalagaana. Yakshagana in its present form is believed to be influenced by the Vaishnava Bhakthi movement. Yakshagana is a separate system of music independent of Karnataka Sangeetha and the Hindustani music of India, believed to survive as an indigenous phenomenon only in parts of Karnataka and Kerala.
There is some resemblance among the members of the 'Traditional Theater Family' like
Ankhia Nata (Assam),
Jathra (Bengal),
Chau (Bihar, Bengal),
Prahlada Nata (Orissa),
Veedhinatakam &
Chindu (Andhra),
Terukoothu Bhagawathamela (Tamil Nadu),
Kathakkali (Kerala). Researchers have argued that Yakshagana is markedly different from this group.
Experts have placed the origin of Yakshagana from the 11th century to the 16th century. Earliest limit is fixed by a finding by Vidwan
Bannanje GovindacharyaShri Bannanje Govindacharya is a scholar, well-versed in Madhva tradition. He hails from Bannanje locality of Udupi in Karnataka, India. He was born in 1936. He is in particular one of the greatest experts on the Madhva Tattva Shastras or Madhva philosophy...
who says a legend goes to show that Sage Narahari Thirtha (c, 1300) started a Dasavathara Ata performance and a troupe in Udupi and later this spread to other places and grew into what we call Yakshagana today.
Yakshagana must have been an established form by the time of famous Yakshagana poet Parthi Subba (1600) to whom Ramayana in Yakshagana is attributed. Shivarama Karantha in his research work argues that it is Subba son of Venkata who is its author, rejecting claims by Muliya Thimmappa and Govinda Pai citing procedural lapses in their findings. Because he is said to be a Bhagawatha (singer) himself and is believed to have founded a troupe, and probably he is the formulator of the Tenkuthittu (Southern style) of the art. Troupe centers like Koodlu and Kumbala in
Kasaragod DistrictKasaragod District is one of the districts of the Indian state of Kerala. Kasaragod District was organised as a separate district on 24 May 1984...
, and Amritheshwari, Kota near Kundapur claim having a troupe three to four centuries ago. So we can safely assume that this art form had taken shape by about 1500. However, what we see today as Yakshagana, must have been the result of a slow evolution, drawing its elements from ritual theater, temple arts, secular arts like Bahurupi, royal courts of the time and artists imaginations – all interwoven over period.
Growth and changes
With the socio-economic changes of the 19th century, arts like Yakshagana also changed. The 19th century produced a big number of compositions. Around 1800, a troupe from Dharmastala visited the court of the king of Mysore and established a troupe there. In the 1840s, a troupe (Karki Hasyagar Mela) from Uttara Kannada (North Kanara) visited Maharastra, and inspired the first modern age mythological drama by Vishudas Bhave. A number of troupes arose all over the Coastal Karnataka and probably in other parts of Karnataka too. By the early decades of this century the structure of Yakshagana reached a definite shape and form.
1930s saw some changes in compositions, organizations and presentation. Dance and the spoken word was further developed and refined. But in costume, a type of degeneration started setting in due to the use of 'modern' clothing and stone jewellery, in place of hand loom clothing and wooden ornaments.
The year 1950 saw the birth of 'tent' troupes, giving performances to audience by tickets, with 'tent theaters' and furniture for seating. These troupes brought in commercialization of Yakshagana, with both merits and demerits. Yakshagana saw major changes in form and organisation, electrical lights replaced the 'gas lights' or 'petromax' lamps. Seating arrangements improved. Major changes came in the themes, with the inclusion of folk epics, Sanskrit dramas and created (imaginary) stories forming the thematic base. Popular entertainment became the criterion in place of 'classical' presentation. Tulu, the language of the Southern part of the D.K. district was introduced on the stage, where hitherto only Kannada was used. This gained great popularity. All these trends continued with added vigor after 1970s, with a new element of influence. Noted writer, Late Dr. Kota Shivaram Karanth experimented with the dance form by introducing Western musical instruments. He also reduced the time of a Yakshagana performance from 12 hours to two and half hours, for the convenience of city dwellers. Another trend that has emerged in modern Yakshagana is the incorporation of movie stories.
Yakshagana has undergone innovation in dance and theatre, which includes performances of Shakespeare.
Now a days Female artists in Sagara are performing a full fledged yakshagana show, like wise there are numerous Troops.
Yakshagana outside India
Yakshagana is finding new grounds outside India. Amateur troupes have emerged on the coasts of California, USA and Ontario, Canada. "Yakshagana Kalavrinda" and Yaksharanga in the USA and Yakshamitra in Canada are a few examples. Yakshamitra performs in Toronto, Canada and is first to use local live music (
Himmela) for their performance. "Yakshagana Kalavrinda" performs on the east coast of USA. Yakshagana in the USA started after the visit of Yakshagana artist Sri Chittani Ramachandra Hegde. His performance at the age of 74 was so inspiring that art lovers decided to continue this great art thousands of miles away from its home. Sri Kidayuru Ganesh who accompanied Sri Chittani stayed back for couple of months to train new generation of Yakshagana artists. The result was a performance of Yakshagana “Sudanvarjuna Kalaga” with participation from local enthusiasts. Since then Yaksharanga has performed many shows around California. These troupes usually use a recorded background Yakshagana music(Himmela) for their performances. Other amateur troop outside of India is "Yakshamitra" in Toronto, "Canada".
Another Yakshagana Troupe "Shri Idagunji Mahaganapati Yakshagana Mandali, Keremane'
keremane mela headed by Shri Keremane Shmabhu Hegde and Shri Keremane Shivanand Hegde toured USA and performed about 22 programs all over North America. The troupe visited about 12 countries and celebrated 75 years in history of Yakshagana.
Variations
Scholars have classified Yakshgaana broadly into two types.
- Moodalopaya Yakshagana includes eastern maidan areas of Karnataka such as Channarayapattna and Arsikere Taluks of Hassan District, Nagamangala Taluk of Mandya District, Turuvekere Taluk of Tumkur District, Hiriyuru, Challakere of Chitradurga District and North Karnataka.
- Paduvlopaya Yakshagana comprises the Western parts of extended Karnataka, including Kasaragod dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada.
Paduvalopaya Yakshagaana is divided into three variations
- Tenkutittu ( includes areas such from Kasaragod to Udupi, from Sampaaje, Sulliya, Puttur to Bantwala, Belthangady, Karkala)
- Badagutittu ( from Udupi to Kundapura and some southern parts of Uttara Kannada)
- Badabadagutittu/Uttara Kannadatittu consisting of the extreme north and the entire Uttara Kannada)
Tenkutittu
The only traditional variation, the
Tenkutittu style, is prevalent in Dakshina Kannada ( from Sullya, Puttur to Belthangady, Bantwala and from Kasaragod to Udupi (Excluding)), Kasaragod district{Tulu and Kannada speaking areas} Western parts of Coorg (Sampaje) and few areas of Udupi district.Tenkutittu is the one and only best Janapada art with the traditional touch will attract people well. Influence of Karnatic Music is apparent in tenkutittu buttressed by the type of Maddale used and in Bhaagavathike. This does not mean that Yakshagana is completely classic. At best, we can say that Yakshagana is a folk art influenced by classical aspects. Tenkutittu amply exhibits that Yakshagana is basically a folk art and not of classic or elite tradition. In fact, Yakshagana was being performed in old days by people from non-brahminical and agrarian background. Tenkutittu stands far ahead than Badaguthittu and Badabadaguthittu in Bannada Vesha-costumes and make up skills and Kedage (Headgear). In Tenkutittu traditionally more than 15 types of colours have been identified. But in practice three important set of colours are identified:
1. Raajabanna
2. Kaatbanna
3. Sthreebanna
Maartha Ashton, noted researcher on Yakshagana, fascinated by Tenkutittu conducted workshop in Kateel.
Himmela in Tenkutittu is a coherent one with beats of Chande and Maddale coupled with chakrataala and Jaagate of bhaagavatha result into an excellent symphony. Dance form of tenkutittu strikes the attention of audience by 'Dheengina' or 'Guttu'-Performers often do Dhiginas, jumping spins in the air and often continuously spin hundreds of times. Tenkutittu is a variation of Yakshagana more focused on high flying dance moves. Tenkutittu is well known for its extravagant Rakshasas (Demons) and its incredible dance steps. Smt. Leelavathi Baipadithaya, the only women singer in this Tenkutittu which is not found in Badagu. It is bewildering that though Shree. Shivarama Karantha stayed in Puttur for more than thirty years, he adopted a
step-mother attitude towards Tenkutittu which is amply reflected in his works and in his mission of promotion of Yakshagana. Tenkutittu, albeit, has remained a popular form and has its own audience even outside the coastal areas. DHARMASTHALA MELA and KATEELU DURGAPARAMESHWARI MELA (most popular melas), HOSANAGARA mela and other melas have popularized this form. Several creative plays have been composed by noted scholars such as Amritha Someshwara. Palthady Ramakrishna Achar wrote a play called 'Bangla Vijaya' (Liberation of Bangladesh) in seventies itself.
Bannada Malinga, Sheni Gopala Krishna Bhat, Kuriya Vittala Shastry, Vitla Joshi, Alike Ramayya Rai, Mijaar Annappa, Kolyur Ramachandra Rao, Kokkada Ishwara Bhat, Pathala Venkatramana Bhat were noted artists. Aruva Koragappa Shetty, Puttur Sheenappa Bhandari, Ubbaradka Umesha Shetty, Gerukatte Gangayya Shetty, Dharmasthala Gopala Bhat, Subraya Patali(S/o. Bannada Malinga), Govindha Bhat Soorikumeri, Puttur Shreedhara Bhandari, Shivarama Jogi are some well noted artists in this form.
Badagutittu
The
Badagutittu style, as its name indicates, is prevalent in Northern parts of
South CanaraSouth Canara was a district under the British empire, located at . It was bifurcated in 1859 from Canara district. It was the undivided Dakshina Kannada district...
, that is, from Padubidri to Byndoor and North Kanara District. It makes use of a typical Karnataka
chandeThe chande is a drum used in the traditional and classical music of South India and particularly in Karnataka. It provides rhythmic accompaniment in several dance dramas of South India such as Yakshagana. It follows the Yakshagana Tala system...
. The Badagutittu style was popularized by Shivram Karanth's Yakshagana Mandira at Saligrama village in
Dakshina Kannada- Geography :The district geography consists of sea shore in the west and Western Ghats in the east. The major rivers are Netravathi, Kumaradhara, Phalguni, Shambhavi, Nandini or Pavanje and Payaswini which all join Arabian sea. Vast areas of evergreen forests which once covered this district, have...
as a shorter, more modern form of Yakshagana. Keremane Shivarama Heggade, the founder of the Yakshagana troupe,
Idagunji Mahaganapathi Yakshagana MandaliIdagunji Mahaganapathi Yakshagana Mandali is a Yakshagana troupe based in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India. It was started by Keremane Shivarama Heggade in the year 1934. He is an exponent of this art form and is the first Yakshagana artist to win the Rashtrapati Award , an award...
Keremane Mela is an exponent of this style of Yakshagana. He is also the first Yakshagana artist to receive the
Rashtrapati AwardRashtrapati Awards are given by the President of India, in some cases the prime Minister of India, for achievements in the field of Sports, Art, Military, Literature, Cinema, Culture, Science & Technology etc. The award-giving ceremony is conducted in the Rashtrapati Bhavan - the President's...
.
Troupes
There are about 30 full fledged professional troupes, and about 200 amateur troupes in Yakshagana. Professional troupes go on tour between November to May, giving about 180-200 shows. There are about one thousand professional artists and many more amateurs. Further there are off season shows during the wet season, the anniversary shows, school and college students Yakshagana and of course the Talamaddale performances. Yakshagana commercial shows witness 12,000 performances per year in Karnataka generating a turnover of Rs. Six crore.
Yakshagana puppetry
Evidence shows that there were more than 30 string puppet troupes in the undivided
Dakshina Kannada- Geography :The district geography consists of sea shore in the west and Western Ghats in the east. The major rivers are Netravathi, Kumaradhara, Phalguni, Shambhavi, Nandini or Pavanje and Payaswini which all join Arabian sea. Vast areas of evergreen forests which once covered this district, have...
district during the period 1910–1915 in places like Basrur, Barkur, Kokkarne, Mudabidri etc.
The presentation of the puppetry in Yakshagana style is highly stylized and adheres strictly to the norms and standards of Yakshagana. The puppets used are generally 18 inches high and the costumes are similar to those worn by the characters from Yakshagana with the same elaborate make-up, colorful headgear and heavy jewellery. The person who infuses life into the puppet and makes it come alive, by dexterous manipulation is known as the
Suthradhara. The content in the Yakshagana puppetry, is drawn heavily from the ancient epics.
Background
Though Yakshagana puppetry had existed since a long time, it was moulded by Laxman, Narasimha and Manjappa Kamath, hailing from
UppinakudruUppinakudru, or Salt Island, is located at 6Km towards north of Kundapura Udupi District . It is a small island village, once famous for trading of salt and also for seafood .-History:...
village in Kundapur taluk. Devanna Padmanabha Kamath, the grandson of Laxman Kamath infused new life into it and performed shows all over India. Currently, his son Kogga Kamath is at the forefront, performing shows and training youngsters in Yakshagana puppetry.
Training and research
The late Sri Kukkila Krishna Bhat has performed lot of research and written several books on Yakshagana. He was one of the authorities on Yakshagana history of Karnataka. Partisubba is one of his most famous books
Training schools for Yaskhagana are very few in Coastal Karnataka. As most troupes are associated with temples, the training has been confined to the temple premises. However, the Govinda Pai Research Institute, located at MGM College, Udupi, runs a
Yakshagana Kalakendra in Udupi that trains youngsters in this ancient dance form. Another famous institute is the SRIMAYA Yakshagana Training Center founded by Late Shri Keremane Shambhu Hegde. Details can be found on http://keremane.blogspot.com. The Govinda Pai Research Institute does research work on language, rituals and dance art forms.
Background Singers
Background Singers are Bhagawatike
Tenkutittu
Late Balipa Narayana Bhagavatha (Sr), Late Puttige Ramakrishna Jois, Balipa Narayana Bhagavatha (Jr), Late Damodara Mandechcha, Nalluru Mariyappa Achar, Late Agari Srinivasa Bhagavatha, Agari Raghurama Bhagavatha, Kadathoka Manjunatha Bhagavatha, Padyana Ganapathi Bhat, Padyana Govinda Bhatt, Puttige Raghurama Holla, Siribagilu Ramakrishna Mayya, Tenkabail Thirumaleshwara Shastry, Kuriya Ganapathi Shastry, Maindappa Rai, Dinesh Ammannaya, Polya Laxminarayana Shetty, Balipa Prasada Bhagavatha, Balipa Gopalakrishna Bhagavatha, Balipa Shivashankara Bhagavatha, Kuriya Ganapathi Shastri, Kubanuru Sridhara Rao, Raghavendra Mayya, Hosamoole Ganesha Bhat, Smt. Leelavathi Baipadithaya (The only lady singer in Yakshagana [Tenkutittu]),Bottikere Purushothama Poonja, Andala Deviprasad Shetty, Pattla Satish Shetty and Others.
Badagutittu
Ira Gopala Krishna Bhagavata, Kadatoka Manjunath Bhagavata, Late Kadatoka Krishna Bhagavatharu, Late GR Kalinga Navuda, Nebbooru Narayana Hegde, Hosthota Manjunath Bhat(Famous yakshagana poet also), Subramanya Dhareshwara, K P Hegade Golagodu, Heranjal Gopala Ganiga, H Suresh Shetty, Narayanappa Uppur, Vidhwan Ganapathi Bhat, Gopal Bhat, Jogi, Raghavendra Achari, Nelluru Narayana, Kolagi Keshava Hegde, Kolagi Madhava Bhat, Narayana Shabaraya, A T Yejneshwara Sagara,
Maravanthe Narasimha Das Bhagavath, Maravanthe Shrinivasa Das Bhagavath and Others.
Yakshagana artists
Yakshagana artists are called "Mummela Patradarigalu.
Tenkutittu
Late Sheni Gopal Krishna Bhat, Late Maadangayi (Putturu) Krishna Bhat, Late Bannada Kuttyappu, Late Bannada Maalinga, Late Chandragiri Ambu, Late Arbhi Annappa Chawta, Late Kadri Vishnu, Late Sanjeeva Chawta, Late Guddappa Gawda, Kolyoor Dr.Ramachandra Rao, Aruva Koragappa Shetty, Aryva Narayana Shetty, Kumble Sundar Rao, Bantwala Jayarama Acharya, Bettampadi Balappa Shetty, Late Ramadasa Samaga,
MijarMijar is a village in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka state, India. The village is near to Moodabidri town. The Kambula race of buffaloes held in this village attracts many people here. Recently an engineering college has been set up in this village.Mijar is also synonymous with Yakshagana...
Annapa, Mijar Thimmappa, Maadavu Thimappa Shetty, Late Puttur Narayana Hegde, Puttur Shreedhara Bhandari, K. Govinda Bhat, Late Alike Ramaya Rai, Late Empekatte Ramayya Rai, Late gubbye Ramayya Rai, Late Gumpe Ramayya Shetty, Halladi Jayaram Shetty, Chennappa Shetty Siddaktte, Vishwanath Shetty Sidakatte, Ubaradka Umesh Shetty, Late Kuriya Vittala Shastry, Late Nayana Kumar, Kokkada Ishwara Bhat, Nidle Govinda Bhat, Muliya Bheema Bhat, Patala Venkatramana Bhat, Late Padre Chandu, Madhuru Radhakrishna Navada, Bannada Dharmasthala Gopal Bhatt, Shivarama Jogi, Perodi Narayana Bhat, Kumble Shreedhar Rao, Kedila Jayarama Bhat,Dasappa Rai, Sarpadi Ashok Shetty, Sampaje Diwakara Rai, Chandrashekhara Shetty Dharmasthala, Sadashiva Kulal, Dinesh maniyani, Mahesh Maniyani, Seetharam Kumar Kateel, Vasantha Gowda, Varkadi Tharanatha Blyaya,and others and KATEELU MELA's Bannada Harinayan Bhatt, Bannada Shivaprasad Bhatt, Bannada Koikude Moodumane Shashidhar Shetty, Bannada Gerukatte Gangayya Shetty, Bannada Rama Kulal, Bannada Ittappa Gowda, Bannada Nagri Mahabala Rai, Bannada Subraya Patali(S/o. Bannada Malinga), Kanjarpane Shambaya Bhatt, Renala Ramakrishna Rao, Perara Laxmana Kotian, Mundaje Sadashiv Shetty, Kavalkatte Dinesh Shetty, Karangala Krishna Moolya, Panakaje Vishnu Shrama, Bellare Vishwanatha Rai, Putturu Sunil Bhandari, Umesh Hebbar, H.Ganesh Bhatt, Bayaru Ramesh Bhatt, Pundariksha Upadyaya, Todikana Vishwanatha Gawda, Nellyadi Prashanth Shetty, Sunnambala Visheshwara Bhatt, Bellare Manjunath Bhatt, Subraya Holla Kasaragod, Peruvai Narayana Shetty, Padre Kumara(S/o. Padre Chandu), Pushparaj Jogi, Appakunji Maniyani, and Others
Badagutittu
Muroor Devaru Hegde, Keremane Shivaram Hegde, Keremane Mahabala Hegde, Keremane Shambhu Hegde, [Jalavalli Venktesh rao], Bananje Suvarna, Chittani Ramachandra Hegde, Gode Narayan Hegde, Bhaskar Joshi, Balkur Krishna Yaji, Kondadakuli Ramachandra Hegde, Uppunda Nagendra Rao, Keremane Shivananda Hegde, Manki Eshwar Naik, Thombattu Vishwanath Achari, Hadinbal Sripad Hegde, Sreepad Bhat Thandimane, Ganapathi Hegde Thotimane, Kappekere Mahadev Hegde, Ganapathi Bhat Kannimane, Prabhakar Chittani, Argodu Mohandas Shenoy, Sridhar Hegde Chapparmane, Nilkod Shankar Hegde, Mantapa Prabhakara Upadhyaya, Jalavalli Vidyadhar Rao(son of Jalavalli Venktesh Rao), Yalaguppa Subrahmanya Hegde, Narayan Hasyagar Karki, K P Hasyagar Karki, Thirthahalli Gopala Achari, Subramanya Hegade Chittani, Kolali Krishna Shetty, Chapparamane Shridhara Hegde and Others
Taala Maddale artists
Late Sheni Gopalkrishna Bhat, Shankarnarayana Samaga Malpe, Dr.Kolyuru Ramachadra Rao,Late Kormanda Manjappa Rai,Matti Subba Rao, Pollya Deju Shetty,
Late Vidhwan Kerekai Krishna BhatVidhwan Krishna Bhat, Kerekai, was a noted Tala-Maddale artist from Sirsi, Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka state, India....
, Tekkatte Ananda Master, Deraje Seetaramayya, Moodambailu Gopalakrishna Shastry, Sunnambala Vishweshwara Bhat, Dr. Prabhkar Joshi, Kumble Sundar Rao, K Govinda Bhat, Jabbar SaMo, Subrahmanya Bhat Venur, Vasudeva Samaga, Ramadasa Samaga, Katte Parameshwar Bhat, Melukote Umakantha Bhat, Vasudeva Ranga Bhat, Ganaraja Kumble, Radhakrishna Kalchar, Buchchan Shastri Karki, N S Bhat Baad, Mohan Hegde Kumta, MR Amachi, Vitla Shambhu Sharma, Kondadakuli Ramachandra Hegade. Herriyanna Kota padukare, Kodi Vishvanath, Suresh Manooru Padukare, Permude Jayaprakasha Shetty, Jayarama Kotari.
Notations
- Martha Bush Ashton, Yakshagana, Abhinav Publications, India; 1st edition (15 June 2003) ISBN 81-7017-047-8, ISBN 978-81-7017-047-1
- Neelavara Lakshminarayan Rao, Gorpadi Vittala Patil, Yakshagana Swabodhini, Published by Yakshagana Kendra, MGA college Udupi, India; 1st edition
- Udayavani - First look on Karnataka
External links