Deekshith D V
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Mar 1: Believe it or not, she is 6-year-old-child artiste who performs Yakshagana wearing costumes that weigh 7 kg!

Tulasi Hegde, daughter of Raghavendra Bettakoppa and Gayathri Raghavendra, has been fascinated Yakshagana art form since her birth. Yes, right from birth. And what's more, her first lessons in the art came from her mother, who is not a Yakshagana artiste.

Says her mother, "During my pregnancy, I used to listen to Yakshagana songs. After Tulasi's birth, whenever she became restless, I would play Yakshagana songs and she would listen to the music and feel pacified. Later I perceived her enthusiasm in Yakshagana. But as she was too young, no teacher was ready teach her Yakshagana. I then took it upon myself to train her, and after watching Yakshagana cassettes, I picked up some lessons myself and taught her the art form."

A student of Shrinikethana School in Sirsi, Tulasi has been performing on stage since the tender age of three. The child prodigy, being a quick learner, soon mastered the art and went on to perform alongside seniormost artistes in places like Hubballi, Mysuru, Bengaluru, Koteshwar and of course, Mangaluru. She has also won the prestigious Yakshanidhi Award and Kadathoka Manjunatha Bhagavatha Samsmarana Prashasti.

The little girl has so far performed in roles like Bala Abhimaniyu, Bala Gopal, Krishna, Mohini and so on with impressive poise and elan, winning appreciation not only from the audience but from senior artistes as well. Her flawless expressions, the graceful movement of hands and feet in perfect sync with the narration and music, and the charm and confidence she exudes on stage will leave you spellbound.

Tulasi has also presented the 'Yakshaganadalli Vishwasanati Sandeshagalu' episode under the guidance of Vidwan Umakant Bhat Kerekai. Presently Tulasi is learning 'Taala' from G S Bhat in Sirsi.

Lauding her immense talent, renowned writer Prof Bhuneshwari Hegde said, "This child has got unique talent. It is impossible to imagine a child learning Yakshagana at the age of three. But Tulasi has done it. She has a bright future."

Indeed, when traditional arts and dance forms are losing popularity among youngsters, it is heartening to come across talents like Tulasi. May her passion for Yakshagana take her to greater heights, and may her tribe increase.