Mangalore: Yakshagana Losing its Purity, Lament Experts
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Jan 30: "It is heartening to note that at a time when people are busy with their lives, the 7th All India Yakshagana convention held in the city has paved the way for revitalizing the art," said Dr Vasanth Bharadwaj Kabbinale, honorary director of Sangeetha University (Mysore) Prasaranga.
He was delivering the valedictory address at the closing ceremony of the 7th All India Yakshagana convention at Town Hall here on Sunday January 29.
He lamented that the level of recognition deserved by Yakshagana poets is not given to them, and said urged the concerned to take up the matter. "When a song like 'Kolaveri di', which has no meaningful lyrics becomes popular among the youth, it creates apprehensions over whether people have lost their taste for true art, be it Yakshagana, dance or music," he said.
Dr Kabbinale also expressed his concern over a few bhagavathas (Yakshagana vocalists) singing songs which were not from the Yakshagana libretto. "This is nothing but disrespect to the Yakshagana poets. Such diversions to win the audience should be protested by the audiences themselves," he said.
He noted that amidst declining values and careless approach, the music in Yakshagana has lost its essence. He called upon the owners of Yakshagana mela (troupes) to partake in such conventions where ideas and thoughts are exchanged.
Dr Kabbinaale also objected to the attempt by a few artistes in bringing Bharathanatyam style of dance in Yakshagana, and said there is no need for it, as Yakshagana art has its unique style in all respects. "Experiments do happen, but accepting the result obtained out of such experiments should be done carefully and knowledgeably, and only those experiments which do not dampen the essence of Yakshagana should be brought into practice," he asserted.
He also suggested that there could be private organizations sponsoring awards and honours which could be equivalent to that of government sponsored awards. "There should be one, unique emblem to represent Yakshagana as the art of this state, like how Kerala depicts Kathakali as its state art," he added.
Kalkura Prathistana president Pradeep Kumar Kalkura while reading out a few opinions raised in the convention said that there was a need for stopping of wrong depiction of Yakshagana artistes (veshas) on other stages without any discretion. He urged the government to avail an open space to showcase Yakshagana free of cost by easing permission procedures. He also expressed his angst over the poor treatment meted out to Yakshagana artistes in terms of monetary benefits, and pointed out that in the recently held national youth festival in the city singer Hariharan was paid Rs 5 lac, while Yakshagana artistes were offered a few thousands.
Accomplished Yakshagana aritistes Pookala Laxminarayana Bhat, Begaru Padmanabha, Dr Om Prakash K V, Yashodha Shashidhar, Bheemaiah Thipatur were felicitated by senior Yakshagana artiste Soorikumelu Govinda Bhat, who was also the president of the convention.
Prof M L Samaga, president of Karnataka state Yakshagana Bayalata Academy presided over the valedictory ceremony. In his address, he called upon all the Yakshagana artistes to make collective effort in get their demands fulfilled by the government.
J Sadashiva Bhat, chancellor, (evaluation) Karnataka University, Dharwad, S N Panjaje, president, Karnataka Samskrithika Kala Prathistana Bangalore, Jayaram Hande, general manager of Karnataka Bank, among others were present. Sudhakar Rao Pejavara and Shree Raj Sampaje compered the programme.
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