Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (NR)
Photo courtesy: Gulfkannadiga.com
Udupi, Feb 11: The golden jubilee celebrations of the Sri Lakshmi Janardhan Yakshagana Kala (SLJYK) troupe which went on for 10 days, indeed proved to be a unique experience for Yakshagana lovers, finally culminating here late on Saturday Feb 9.
The main aim of the troupe was to popularize yakshagana among the youth and women of the region. In fact the SLJYK troupe has till date organized more than 30 “Vatara” yakshagana shows, 10 “Chavadi” Tala Maddale shows and has also given 20 other yakshagana performances during the year.
On the occasion, a yakshagana competition of “havyasi” (amateur) yakshagana troupes was held every evening at Ambalapady and areas close by for eight days. According to the troupe celebrations committee general secretary Murali Kadekar the 'havyasi' have played a vital role in retaining the tradition of Yakshagana. "These troupes perform yakshagana without any commercial motive,” he said. Yakshagana teacher Gundmi Sadananda Aithal informed that the amateur yakshagana artistes went through intense training, and had a deep desire to retain the purity of the art form.
The programme kick-started with a “Yaksha Rangoli” competition, comprising two segments of women and students. In all 30 high school students and 20 women participated in the competition. Participants seemed to be very keen on drawing the “Mukhavarnike” (face of Yakshagana character) and “kirita” (crown). This was very much apparent in the various “rangolis” drawn by them.
The highlight of the event was a sand sculpture of a yakshagana character carved by the students of the Chitrakala Mandir School of Art.
Each and every one of the designs on display was exquisite and eye-catching, so much so it was difficult to say which one was better than the other. The Yakshagana quiz contest was followed by the “Yaksha Nritya” competition, which saw a large number of students both of primary and high school segment participating with zeal and enthusiasm. It was indeed a great platform for them to show off their Yakshagana dancing skills, which was warmly applauded by the appreciative audience.