Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Nov 20: November is the month when Yakshagana Melas begin to perform Yakshagana episodes at night in coastal Karnataka. Yakshagana shows are thronged by the people right from Kasargod to Uttara Kannada district.

The shows carry people to a different world of mythological characters bringing a glittering world before their eyes and leaving the message that divinity and truthfulness always triumph. Gods, demons, Gandharvas, celestial characters appear before the people and carry them to the dream world of Yakshagana. The sound of Chende and Maddale, the Bhagwathige by renowned and well trained Bhagawaths, create a new world on the stage.

For the last sometime, Covid19 had cast its fearful shadow on these shows. The people have since shed the fear of the pandemic now and all the Melas have geared up to begin their new season. Hattiangady Mela has begun its tour of the season and Dharmasthala Mela has been performing in the temple premises for a month. The Mela will begin its tour on December 5.

Pavanje Mela under the guidance of well-known Bhagwath, Yaksha Dhruva Patla Satish Shetty, began its second annual tour on November 16. It will hold time bound shows till May 25 and all its 191 shows have been booked in advance. All the six Kateel Melas have started their tour. Other Melas like Bappanadu, Sasihithlu, Hanumagiri, Sunkadakatte, Perdoor, Mandarthi, Saligrama, Kamalashile, Sowkoor, Goli Garadi etc are preparing for their tour.

The fans are eager to spend the next six months learning new things, assimilate the knowledge spread through the Yakshagana episodes and appreciate the skills and capabilities of artistes.