Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)
Beltangady, Aug 21: From next season onward, Dharmasthala Yakshagana troupe has decided to cut short the duration of its daily performances from the present all-night, to just five hours. A decision about this significant shift from tradition was taken after a three-year long discussions, cogitation, collection of opinion, and after observing success of some Melas which have opted for shorter shows, said Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade.
Beginning next season, Dharmasthala Mela's performances will be between 7 pm and 12 am. At the same time, he said that it has been decided to ensure that none of the Yakshagana traditions like the prelude will be sacrificed.
It may be recalled that a meet to hold discussion on prescribing time limit for Yakshagana performances of Dharmasthala troupe had been held three years back. Discussions about advantages and drawbacks had been organized. Another such meeting was held about a month back at Mangaluru. In the meantime, the nod of the divine has been obtained through the method of 'Deva Prashne (divine query)'. Concurrence of people who organize shows of the Mela as service to the Lord has also been obtained. Most of the people with whom consultations were held, have agreed that there is a need to curtail the period of performance. There are certain questions for which answers are not readily available. Time and experiments will find an answer to these questions, Heggade added.
Although there is no clalrity as to when Dharmasthala Yakshagana troupe was founded, it can be safely said that it is over 203 years old, considering that the then Maharaja of Mysore had extended official invitation to this troupe to perform there in 1812. During the period Ratnavarma Heggade was the Dharmadhikari, this troupe experimented with a six-dimension stage. Now, the concept introduced by Dr Veerendra Heggade will pave way for another change of phase in the troupe's history.
Dharmasthala Mela traditionally performs in Dakshina Kabnnada, Udupi, Kasargod, Chikkamagalur, Uttara Kannada, and Shivamogga districts.