Bantwal: Month-long Festivities Conclude at Sri Subraya Temple, Vagenadu

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (NM)

Bantwal, Sep 17: The month-long Yakshagana festivities, particularly ‘Simha Masa’ ceremony held as part of the 14th annual celebrations of Sri Subraya Temple, Vagenadu in Karopady, here ended on a delightful note on Sunday, September 16 night.

"Yakshagana has educated the masses, the great Indian epics have reached the common people through this art," said Sri Gurudevananda Swamiji of Odiyoor.

"Yakshagana has played an important role in preserving our culture. Yakshagana can transform a village as it is rich in its form and content," he added.

Addressing the gathering, Daya Kirodian, co-founder of Dubai Billawa Samaj lauded the management for keeping the art of Yakshagana alive and vibrant. "I am fortunate to be here," he said, appreciating Vagenadu village for producing many young artistes and hence enabling Yakshagana to flourish. 

In the presidential address, T Shyam Bhat, director of RTO, Bangalore said, "Youngsters must take a keen interest in Yakshagana. The quality and sanctity of Yakshagana should never be compromised. If those are maintained, people will come in search of Yakshagana wherever it is performed."

On the occasion, five eminent Yakshagana artistes - Moodumbail Gopalkrishna Shastri, Shridhar Bhandary, Thimmanna Bhat Thankabail, Koragappa Shetty Devappa and Kunji Kulal Bhetha - were felicitated with shawls, citations and cash awards for their contribution to the field of Yakshagana.

On behalf of the awardees, Moodumbail Gopalkrishna Shastri spoke a few words. Seraje Gopalkrishna Bhat introduced the awardees and mentioned their distinct skills as artistes.

Girish Shetty, president of Karnataka Sangha Dubai; Subash, advocate; Paneyadka Lingappa Gowda and others shared the dais.

Sri Mohandas Swamiji of Manila, Vedamurthy Harinarayan of Kateel, M L Samaga, president of Karnataka Yakshagana Academy, Dr Simanthloor Narayan Shetty and others spoke on the occasion.

Rama Amin, director of MESCOM too was felicitated for his support to the temple.

Patlaguthu Mahabala Shetty, convener and president of Shree Subryamanya Kala Sangha welcomed and Patlaguthu Sathish Shetty thanked the gathering, while Muguli Thirumaleshwara Bhat, administrator, delivered the keynote address. 

Kadri Navaneeth Shetty compered the programme.

The formal function was followed by ‘Bedara-Kannappa’ Yakshagana play.

The month-long festival included mass meals, daily Talamaddale, spiritual music and other performances. Shree Subryamanya Kala Sangha, Vagenadu organized the programme.