Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Oct 30: In the past, it was thought that having the headquarters of the Yakshagana Academy in Bangalore has its own inherent advantages. However, of late, the demand for shifting the Academy to Udupi is turning into a crescendo.

Dignitaries, who took part in the inaugural function of Kadekar Rajagopal Rao Memorial Talamaddale silver jubilee celebrations held at Nidamboor near here on Wednesday October 29, gave vent to their opinion on this issue. Yakshagana Academy president Kumble Sundar Rao, MLA Raghupati Bhat and Ambalpady Sri Janardana and Mahakali Temple trustee Dr Ni Bee Vijaya Ballal in unison demanded for shifting the academy headquarters to Udupi from Bangalore.

Dr Ballal, who inaugurated the function, noted that Yakshagana, in spite of claims that it has been waning, has been progressing well of late. He thought that this form of art has bright future. He also opined that re-locating of the Academy to Udupi will benefit this folk art.

Kumble Sundar Rao, who was felicitated on the occasion, said that functioning at the Bangalore office of the Academy, for which proper facilities have not yet been made available as yet, has made him feel guilty and orphaned. "I will work to the best of my abilities in spite of limited facilities. However, it would be better if the Academy is housed in Udupi," he opined.

MLA K Raghupati Bhat, who presided over the function, said that the budget presented during the tenure of Yeddyurappa as the deputy chief minister, had proposed to have the headquarters of the Yakshagana Academy in Udupi. However, some officials insisted on having it in Bangalore, saying that it would earn the state-level status for the art. "I will try to provide whatever facilities the Academy wants and also to shift it to Udupi," he promised.