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| Yakshagana of Karnataka, .thehansindia.com |
In India every state has it own traditional performing art like Kathakali of Kerala, Bharata Natdan of Tamil Nadu, Kuchipudi of Andhra and Odissi of Odisha, etc. these dances are known for their facial expressions of many and lyrical quality and are the surviving arts for centuries, keeping our heritage alive even today despite odds..
About Karnataka, Yakshagana, a traditional performing art of with six-century evolution, vividly blends folk roots with classical theatre elements from Bharata's Natya Shastra. Etymologically this name is a combination of two words ‘Yaksha’ and ‘Gana’.
This unique art form combines dance and drama, carefully synthesizing Aharya, Angika, Vachika, and Sathvika Abhinayas. Its music, dance, costumes, and dialogues are stylized, exhibiting classical discipline in structure and folk liberty in expression.
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| Yakshagana karnataka.com |
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| Yakshagana archive.nytimes.com |
Performed throughout the night, Yakshagana takes themes or episodes stories from the epics Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas, serving as a ritualistic, moralistic, and entertaining theatre. It appeals intellectually and emotionally to the people who have deep faith in age old traditions.. Various regional forms do exist within Karnataka and beyond, known as Ata, Dashavatara Ata, and Bayalata. The Thenku Thittu (southern) style prevails from Dakshina Kannada to Kasaragod, while the Badaga Thittu (northern) style is followed from Udupi (weten part) to Uttara Kannada.
At the temples like Sri Udupi Sri Krishna, Kateel Sri Durgaa Parameshwari, Mandarthi, Brahmavara, etc provide dancing space for such tradition-bound performing art forms and performers of Yakshagana, taking advantage of a serene coastal ambiance bring life the great Indian epics. Some historians in this field call the the coastal Karnataka a Cultural Jewel.
The term 'Yakshagana,' meaning 'song of Yaksha' (demigods or worship), links to similar traditions in Andhra Pradesh (Kuchipudi Yakshaganam) and early Kannada and Telugu literature, where 'Ekkala' and 'Jakkala' referred to a singing style or community. By the fifteenth century, 'Yakshagana Prabhandam' (song compositions) emerged for temple worship, gradually evolving into theatre.
Unlike classical arts with detailed Lakshana Granthas, Yakshagana lacks specific theoretical texts. However, 'Sabhalakshana,' a collection of Sanskrit verses and Kannada songs, offers basic information about the lead singer (Bhagavat) and performance area, including invocatory songs.
Traditionally, Yakshagana was performed by less-educated village artists, learning through oral tradition. Over the last century, educated individuals have joined, some pursuing research, leading to a refined form that balances classical rigor with folk vibrancy.
Based on the recent state-level Yakshagana Sammelana the coastal Karnataka is making new approach for future with more participation of women performers, apart from reaching out to new audiences. Efforts are underway to use Tulu language to perform this old artform.
''To maintain its integrity, Yakshagana needs support for the traditional form and a vision for the future', said Dr. Joshy, an expert in traditional art forms of Karnataka.
https://www.thehansindia.com/karnataka/yakshagana-art-form-breaking-new-ground-reaching-wider-audiences-783655