Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Feb 10: In a strange incident which occurred here on Tuesday February 9, a Yakshagana artiste acting out the role of Hanumantha walked out of the stage after growing angry over the attitude of an artiste acting opposite him.

'Yakshotsava' programme of Yenaneeru Mela is on at Nataraja auditorium of Lord Mahalingeshwara temple here since about a week. As part of this festival, 'Veeramani Kaalaga' episode was presented on Tuesday night. The story was unfolding in front of the audiences in an interesting way, and dialogues between the artistes depicting the roles of Hanumantha and Veeramani were providing wholesome entertainment to the people.

The exchange of retorts and repartee between these two characters became so comical that the people present were laughing their hearts out. Frequently the witty dialogues received appreciation by way of whistles and claps. However, soon the temperament changed for the worse, and the artistes stooped to the level of personal vilification. The situation seemed to be going out of hand and spoiling the atmosphere.

At this point, the artiste donning the role of Hanumantha abruptly stopped, and walked out of the stage towards the green room. Bhagawath, Dinesh Ammannaya, who was guiding the proceedings, was at a loss for words. "What can I do if artistes behave in this way?" he said aloud. The episode was withheld for a few minutes, by which period the artistes were coaxed into continuing with their roles in a sober manner, after which the programme went ahead without obstruction.