Udupi: ‘Masti Durga’ Children’s Troupe Excels in Yakshagana Plays

By Suvarna Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (RD/CN)

Udupi, Aug 4: The historically famous Masti Amma’s temple in Barkoor, near here, is renowned for its religious splendour and miracles.

A children’s troupe with members between the age group 3-15 (forty including boys and girls) was formed under the title ‘Masti Durga’ children’s troupe in 2004. The children were first taught to chant ‘Bhajans’ and gradually introduced to dance in worship.  These children were singing Bhajans and dancing while worshiping on every Friday evening at Masti Amma’s temple.  They extended their worship at the temples of Sri Krishna Mutt, Ambalapady, Hattiyangady, Nilavar, Kamalashile, and other renowned worship centres.

The training of Yakshagana, an art form of Tulunadu, was introduced to the children’s troupe in 2006.  A group of 20 staged ‘Mahishasura Mardini’, a mythological episode as their maiden Yakshagana play. 

The troupe honed their skills and staged a play during the 40th anniversary of ascension to the throne by Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade.

The troupe mustered difficult episodes such as ‘Kalingavardana’, ‘Panchajanya’, ‘Pootanisamvara’, ‘Gadayudda’, ‘Gurudakshine’, ‘Sri Devi’, ‘Lalitambe’, and others. Their shows were well-attended by large audiences.

The troupe’s president Anantapadmanabha Bhat has been supporting the studies of children by distributing scholarship to students studying in Class VII to Class X and felicitating the achievers with prizes.  It’s the mission of Anantapadmanabha Bhat to inculcate religious and cultural values besides Tulunadu folk art.