Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Mar 16: "An artist must be curious and have interest in the art without which it will not grow,"said Professor M L Samaga, chairman of Karnataka Yakshagana and Bayalata academy.

He addressed the gathering after inaugurating the series of events to observe the birth centenary of the late Kuriya Vitala Shastri, an exponent of Yakshagana of Tenku Thittu School at Town hall on Saturday March 16.

Speaking further, he said the programme was much needed and thanked all the organizers for it. Every year similar programmes are organized in various places mainly to remember late Kuriya Vitala Shastri as well as to promote Yakshagana art.

In his presidential address, S Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, president of Dakshina Kannada Sahitya Parishat said the programme is mainly organized for people of present and future generation to promote interest of Yakshagana in them. He asked people to join together in preserving this art adding he said all Yakshagana associations are working towards it relentlessly.

The day long Yakshagana festival at Town hall will have Yakshagana programmes like ‘tenku thittu Yakshagana himmela – natya’ (Yakshagana dance), Sahasrabama, Bahuka – Ruthuparna, Pandavara Oddolaga.

The Yakshagana programmes will be followed by Kuriya award which will be conferred on Balipa Narayana Bhagawatha and a book titled ‘Pathala Yakshamani’ will be released.

The day long Yakshagana festival is organized by Kalkura Prathistan, Mangalore, Kuriya Vitala Shastri Memorial Charitable trust and by Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy, Bangalore.