Udupi: Aithanna - Born Blind, he Never Tires of Serving Yakshagana

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Feb 2: Aitanna from Giliyaru village near Kota in the taluk is unique in several ways. He suffers from congenital blindness and is not economically well-placed. However, these things have not deterred him from serving Yakshagana field relentlessly.

Year after year, Aitanna has been organizing performances by a Yakshagana troupe being run in the name of Goddess Amriteshwari Temple in Kota. The number of such performances has already touched 29, and Aitanna is not thinking of stopping his work. He deems this as a ‘Belakina Seve (service in the form of light)’, as it is known as in case of several Yakshagana troupes attached to temples, to the Goddess he trusts.

Aitanna roams around various villages. Once a year, he approaches people with request for money to hold Yakshagana performance. Although he is blind, he never seeks assistance of others for crossing the road or approaching people. He moves around freely, introduces himself, and once he gets to know a person, he never forgets the voice of his new acquaintance. Some feel that Aitanna has been able to these things, which even able-bodied people dither from many a time, because of the blessings of Goddess Amirteshwari, also known as ‘Halavu Makkala Tayi’.

Aitanna has his home in Giliyaru. This year, he organized Yakshagana performance on January 25. As long as such enthusiastic supporters continue to live, no art form including Yakshagana, need to fear of being sidelined, one feels. Aitanna’s spirit also comes as an inspiration to many, who find ways and means as excuses for not being able to do certain things in life.