Media Release

Houston, Aug 14: Vasu Aithala and a team of Yakshagana enthusiasts from Houston presented a performance on July 28. Under the auspices of Shri Krishna Vrundavana and Houston Kannada Vrinda, for the first time in USA, Yakshagana Bayalata (Open-air Field Drama) was presented in the parking ground in front of Krishna Vrundavana, Sugar Land, Texas, by professional artists from Sri Yakshadeva Mithra Kalamandali, Belvai, India, touring US.

The episode (Referred to as “Prasanga”) presented was ‘Mahisha Mardhini’ from Sri Devi Mahatme of Sri Durga Saptashati of Markandeya Purana. The everlasting conflict between good and evil, the fight between Gods and demons, depicting the supremacy of Mother Goddess Durga was presented.

Beautifully set up open air stage imitating the traditional look referred to as ‘Rangasthala’, casual seating of the young audience on the floor fully captivated with the show, vibrant entry of demon Mahishasura (buffalo headed demon) playing with fire from the crackle and flash of resin powder thrown into fiery torches, grand entry of Goddess Durga with 8 arms, excitement of a tiger walking on to the stage from the audience as vehicle for Goddess Durga, fierce battle between Mahishasura and Goddess Durga ending with killing of Mahisha, celebrated with magnificent fireworks made this entire performance into a spectacular show.

More than 500 people, both Kannada speaking and non-Kannada speaking including a significant number of children enjoyed the performance. Keeping up with the tradition hot snacks were distributed to the audience during the show. Depicting the street stalls, ladies prepared churmuri-chilli puffed rice.

Well know Bagawatha Patla Sathish Shetty was accompanied on Maddale by Padmanabha Upadhya and on Chende by the team leader Devananda Bhat, Prof M L Samaga as Lord Vishnu, Chandrashekara Dharmasthala as Shurpashaka and Devendra, Prashant Nelyadi as Malini and Devi, Mohana Bellippady as Mahishusara and Mahesh Maniyani as Dootha were aptly supported by local artists Meena Aithala as Aadi Maye, Sharath Akirekadu as Lord Brhma and Suhas Aithal as Lord Maheshwara.

Satish Rao of Udipi Café said, “What a fantastic weekend. I felt like I was back home in Hiriyadaka, Coastal town of Karnataka watching Yakshaganabayalata. One of a kind event to remember for a long time to come, it was an awesome show.”

Dinesh Pejavar said, “Having it out door was a brilliant idea and brought back fond memories of the bayalata performance in Pejaver more than 60 years ago.”

Tara Narasimhan said, “It was like watching in the paddy fields of India as the weather too was just about the same. The fireworks in between was an added bonus to the superb group of dancers musician and dramatists.”