Yakshagana, a unique theater form found mainly in coastal Karnataka and Malenadu region of Karnataka. It is a blend between dance, music, dialogue, story, resplendent costume, face painting.
I always loved Yakshagana. As my dad writes Yakshagana Prasanga (songs and story), I was introduced to it from a very young age, be it Bayalata (open theater) or tent aata (closed theater). It stats at night and ends in the morning. When I was young, definitely it wasn't the Yakshagana that lured us. Down the memory lane: Early dinner at home, carry a mat and blankets, roam around stalls selling Bhel (Churumuri), peanuts, ice candy, sugarcane juice; stuffing everything to hearts content. We used to get pocket money for this special occasion. The program starts around 9.30 or 10. By this time crowd would have gathered. We spread mattress religiously, cover ourselves from blanket in chili winter. Effect of dinner and sumptuous snacks kicks in and we sleep like babies through the humdrum of program. Next morning, get up and go home. We get to bunk next day school because of our all night endeavors. That is how my love started. I slowly started developing genuine interest in this incredible theater form. I even had the opportunity to learn this. Alas! Spending grueling months in practice while my friends whiling away the time seemed like a bad idea then. Then teenage happened followed by college and work. The last Yakshagana I watched was 2 years back on Ganesha Chaturthi festival. Then it wasn't a full fledged dawn to dusk show, rather a small 3 hour show.
One will be very well acquainted with it if he/she is from coastal Karnataka (North Canara, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada), Malenadu (Shimoga/Sagar), or part of Kasaragodu. There are 7 types I'm told, but I've watched Tenkutittu and Badagutittu.
Yakshagana is being compared with Western tradition of Opera. The music is a combination Karnataka and Hindustani music, though of a different category with musicians playing instruments like Chande, Maddale, harmonium, etc. It doesn't matter if the story is mythology or modern, the characters will make sure the audience will have light moments with their witty, philosophical dialogues, completely staying in the original character. It makes me so proud to be part of this rich, cultural art form (remotely indirect).
I'm longing to watch Yakshagana with same good old day settings sans sleep, preferably a mythological one, something like Krishna-Sandhana, Bhasmasura-Mohini, Rukmini Swayamvara, Bhishma Vijaya.
PS-My dad's "Shruthi-Panchami" was a blockbuster, running more than 100 days, even in Mumbai. I hope I'l be able to publish all his works in the future.
Written By: Pallavi
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