The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : A long innings on the stage

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 29, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

A long innings on the stage

Staff Reporter

Yakshagana artiste Gode Narayana Hegde began performing at the age of 14

STALWARTS: Artistes Chittani Ramachandra Hegde, Shambhu Hegde and Gode Narayana Hegde

BANGALORE: Despite it being a cold evening, the atmosphere at the Samsa Open-air Auditorium behind Ravindra Kalakshetra was charged with excitement owing to the presence of three stalwarts of Yakshagana, Chittani Ramachandra Hegde, Keremane Shambhu Hegde and Gode Narayana Hegde.

The occasion was "Gode 70ra Sambhrama," organised by the Bangalore-based Yaksha Kala Sagara, Yakshagana Yogakshema Abhiyana, Yaksha Kala Mandali and Yakshagana Abhimani Balaga, to felicitate Narayana Hegde, better known as "Gode". The organisers honoured him with a citation and cash award of Rs. 1 lakh on the occasion.

Mr. Narayana Hegde began performing at the age of 14 by enacting female characters. His entry as a male character began with "Gada Yuddha" as Kaurava at the age of 16. He shot into fame with his performances as Kaurava in "Gada Yuddha", Shalya in "Karna Parva", Brahma in "Brahma Kapala" and Rithuparna in "Nala Damayanthi".

Abhiyana convener V.R. Hegde Hegdemane said Yakshagana lovers in Bangalore had plans to organise workshops to introduce Yakshagana to the new generation. Senior journalist M.K. Bhaskar Rao regretted the trend of Yakshagana imitating cinema and comedy. Yakshagana's future lay in continuing to stage mythological stories, he added.

Shambhu Hegde, chairman of Karnataka Janapada and Yakshagana Academy, recalled the days when Mr. Hegde entered the field.

A moved Mr. Hegde said his position in Yakshagana was because of "Saadhane" (concerted efforts) and not because of "Siddhi" (inborn ability). The felicitation was followed by a performance of "Brahma Kapala" where Mr. Chittani Ramachandra Hegde took on the role of Shiva and Mr. Hegde that of Brahma. The story depicted the ego clash between Shiva and Brahma.

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Karnataka