Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Aug 28: It has been several months since both Karnataka State Yakshagana Academy and Bayalata Academy lost their presidents in unfortunate developments. These academies, which have no presidents to spearhead their activities, have not been able to conduct any activities. Their activities have come to a standstill, and there is no one to work as a link between the artistes and the government to explain the miseries the artistes are going through at this Covid time.

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The government since long has not taken much interest in the Yakshagana artistes and therefore the artistes have been worshipping this art and going through a lot of problems. Even when there was lockdown due to Covid infection, the artistes had become listless as they did not get proper encouragement. Even after the second wave of the pandemic, their problems have not become less. As a large number of Yakshagana performances held in fulfilment of religious vows undertaken by families have been put on hold, the artistes are driven to the streets.

Dr T B Solabakkanavar, president of Karnataka Bayalata Academy, had passed away on November 19, 2020, due to ill health. President of Yakshagana Academy, Prof M A Hegde, breathed his last on April 18, 2021. The government has not undertaken measures to post people in these two positions. Yakshagana Academy used to conduct programmes like training camps, documentation, honouring the senior artistes, online live programme known as 'Nenapina Butti' etc. Now all these activities have come to a standstill. Even the state level awards function was also not held. In Bayalata Academy too, a number of activities have been suspended. The academies get members and presidents for a three year term. Already two years have been lost due to Covid. The appointment of presidents immediately is necessary to see that the academies undertake activities by making best use of the remaining one year term.

The academies, in order to organize programmes or to continue with an earlier activity, need to hold meetings chaired by the presidents and take a decision. But the Bayalata Academy has not conducted any meetings for the last nine months while Yakshagana Academy did not hold meetings for five months. To convince the government about the problems of the artistes, to get programmes already announced implemented and to get more support, the academies have to function effectively but now they have no presidents. The government has to act fast and appoint presidents to these academies.