Sheeja Moodubelle
Pics by Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi

Udupi, Jun 3: Yakshagana Kala Ranga- Udupi, organized 13th annual ‘Yakshanidhi Mahasabha’ was inaugurated by scholar Vedamoorthi Padigaru Srinivasa Tantri on Saturday June 2 at Rajangan, Krishna Mutt, from 3.00 pm to 4.30 pm.

Yakshagana artists were provided a free eye test by Dr Narendra Shenoy, Anantha Jyothy Nethralaya, Udupi. It was sponsored by Rotary Udupi and held from at 11.30 am to 12.30 pm. ‘Yakshagana and Involvement Drama’ by Sree Jeevan Ram Sulya, a programme sponsored by Karnataka Yakshgana Bhayalatta Academy, Bangalore, was held from 2 pm to 3 pm.

The programme was blessed by Shree Vishwavallabhateertha of Sri Sodhe Vadhiraja Mutt, Udupi. The welcome was by Chittani Ramachandra Hegde, first Padhmashree winner for Yakshagana, while Prof. M L Samaga, president, Karnataka Yakshagana Academy, was also present.

“Change according to time is common in every field and as a performing art form, Yakshagana is not an exception. Still, the basic quality and good intentions of the art should not be harmed,” opined Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy chairman M L Samaga.

Thalur Shivarama Shetty, president, Murali Kadekar, secretary, Kumble Sunder Rao, former president, Karnataka State Yakshagana Academy, Sri Hari Narayana Asrannna, Dr Krishna Moorthy Manja, and Dr Prabhakara Joshi were present.