Dubai: Yakshamitraru presents memorable performance on decennial
Pics: Prakash D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai (SP)
Dubai, Jun 15: ‘Yakshamitraru’ has been a popular name among the fans and lovers of Yakshagana art form in the Gulf region. The organization has been regularly presenting interesting programmes by pooling together talented Yakshagana enthusiasts since its inception, to help people from Karnataka to keep in touch with this folklore art form, which is close to their hearts.
To mark its decennial, the organization brought together amateur Yakshagana artistes and presented the episode, ‘Kateel Kshetra Mahatme’ at Sheikh Rashid Hall on Friday June 14, with the support of some guest artistes.
The eyes and ears of Yakshagana lovers absorbed the grandeur of scenes which unfolded in front of their eyes at the stage set up at the hall, and the rhythmic beats of Chende and Maddale, which ably supported the Bhagawath. Melodious and mature Bhagavathike by Purushotham Punja Bottikere and Patla Satish Shetty added a touch of divinity to their experience. Chende beats by well-known Chende artiste, Mohan Shettigar Mijar, Maddale player, P V Paramesh, and performances by guest artistes, Deepak Rao Pejavar, Patla Satish Shetty, and P V Paramesh, contributed immensely to the success of the programme. Gangadhar Shettigar Kinnigoly and Balakrishna Gowda Mijar helped in makeup and costumes departments.
The Chowki Puja was performed by Vasudev Bhat, owner of Venus Hotels. Padma Shri Dr B R Shetty, UAE Exchange chief executive officer, Sudhir Kumar Shetty, and other dignitaries participated as chief guests. The chief guests felicitated the guest artistes by draping shawls around them and presenting mementoes.
While Dr B R Shetty felicitated veteran Yakshagana Bhagawath and artiste, Purushottam Punja Bottikere, the title, ‘Yakshakala Bheeshma’, was conferred on him on behalf of ‘Yakshamitraru’. Speaking thereafter, Dr B R Shetty appreciated the efforts being put forth by ‘Yakshamitraru’ to keep the art of Yakshagana alive in the Gulf region. He appreciated the quality of Yakshagana performance presented at the function, and urged the people from coastal Karnataka living in the Gulf not to forget their traditional art forms in their busy schedules.
The programme was sponsored by Fortune Group of Hotels, ACME Group, and Arab Udupi Hotels. Praveen Shetty, director of Fortune Group of Hotels, Harish Sherigar of ACME, and Shekhar Shetty of Arab Udupi Hotels, were honoured by Dr B R Shetty.
Office bearers of ‘Yakshamitraru’, Vittal Shetty and Chidanand, president of Karnataka Sangha Dubai, Gireesh Shetty, Tulukoota UAE leader, C R Shetty, and several other dignitaries graced the occasion. Managing director of Daijiworld Media Pvt Ltd, Walter Nandalike, Karnataka Sangha Sharjah president, Satish Poojary, and several other prominent personalities were present.