Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (VP)

Mangaluru, Mar 18: The Union of Tulu Drama Artists (R) Mangaluru, in collaboration with the District Theater Association Forum, Dakshina Kannada (DK), Udupi, and Kasargod, organized a foot-march condemning the ongoing oppression and violence against artists in the fields of drama, Yakshagana, and cinema from the artists of DK, Udupi, and Kasargod districts on Monday, March 18, at Don Bosco Hall.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Devadas Kapikad, cine actor, director, said, "Today, we have gathered here for the unity of our field. We are respected in the community because of our dramas and skits. Today, the same drama artists are scared to deliver dialogues, and we all are believers in our daivas (deities), and we also worship them. We do not mean to misrepresent them. Yakshagana is something that is integral to our culture and has a history of thousands of years. We request everyone not to take it as an insult. If there is any mistake from our side, then approach us. Sometimes actors feel worthless, and all we request is that actors should be respected. Today, writers are scared to write stories because they are unsure about the response, but rather than creating issues, they should not be afraid to express their scripts. I believe that anybody's belief should not be taken lightly. Till now, we have understood the people's belief, and we are responsible, and we have never done anything wrong. The Kantara film, which depicted local culture, was popular and accepted by everyone worldwide."

Kishor Shetty of Lakumi Group, said, "These traditional values were never restrictions over dramas, and in the fight for bringing recognition for the Tulu language, Tulu dramas have contributed a lot. When a story is about Daiva, and they tell us to remove those parts, how is it possible? We try to show reality to the audience, and we believe that lack of knowledge is the main issue. We just try to show the reality to the audience, and hence we should not be stopped. If other languages like Bengali, Malayalam use Kola and Daiva, who will go and stop them?"

Actor-director Vijay Kumar Kodialbail expressed sadness and said, "We all are believers of our God, Daiva, and we worship all of them with full heart, and there is no reason for us to misrepresent or misguide people by showing something wrong. This will lead to just one community that can do certain stories, but our actors are giving them proper answers by their skills, but the number of such actors are very few today. Let's see what happens. Everyone has gathered here, and I thank everyone who has come here on our request."

After the convention, an appeal was submitted to the DC.

Krishna Manjeshwara, K K Gatty, Jagan Pawar Baikal, Sharath Shetty Kinnigoli, Pavan Jaikal, Madhu Bangera, and others were present.