The Hindu : Karnataka News : Yakshagana taking roots in Mysore

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Karnataka

Yakshagana taking roots in Mysore

Muralidhara Khajane

A training centre has been opened to keep the folk art form alive

Students will be trained in Tenku Tittu, Badagu Tittu
They need not travel to coastal areas

— PHOTO: M.A.SRIRAM

KEEPING IT ALIVE: A file picture of Yakshagana artistes preparing for a show.

MYSORE: Now those who wanted to learn art of Yakshagana need not go to coastal Karnataka. They can register their names at Karavali Yakshagana Kalika Kendra (KYKK) in Ramakrishnanagar in the city.

The kendra is the latest addition to the cultural space of Mysore.

Yakshagana, a classical folk art form, which is popular in the districts of Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannaada, Udupi, Shimoga and Kasargod (in Kerala) is losing its glory in the changed socio-cultural scenario. Yakshagana literally means the song of Yaksha, an exotic tribe mentioned in the Sanskrit literature.

Performance of this form, which used to be a night-long programme, saw changes to suit to the modern lifestyle.

Yakshagana consists of Himmela (background music) and Mummela (dance group). Himmela consists of narrator, harmonium and chande (loud drum). The artistes wear resplendent costumes, headgears and paint their faces. The performance depicts a story from the Hindu epics.

However, lovers of Yakshagana are making efforts to keep this colourful folk art alive. Some are even trying to make it popular in other parts of the State.

B. Srinivasa Rao, a Yakshagana lover, is conducting “chende-mela”, a workshop every year at Krishna Mandira in the city.

Yakshagana Sanchalana Samiti has conducted “Yaksha-Paksha-Vaibhava” a 15-day programme in Mysore last year.

With many people in Mysore showing interest in learning Yakshagana during the programme, the Yakshagana Sanchalana Samithi decided to open a training centre.

The samithi inaugurated “Karavali Yakshagana Kalika Kendra” on Thursday.

Mahajana Education Society president R. Vasudeva Murthy has declared the school open and the inaugural function was followed by “Rathi Kalyana” programme by Begaru Shivakumara of Bangalore and troupe.

Samithi secretary Dhananjaya told The Hindu that the intention behind commencing this school was to given an opportunity to those who wanted to learn this folk form which was facing threat because of the change in socio-cultural scene.

The training centre would extend one-year learning course in Yakshagana. There was no age bar for admission. Classes would be conducted on every Tuesday. By the end of the year, students would be in a position to perform in front of the public.

The centre would teach Tenku Tittu and Badagu Tittu forms. In the first six months, students would be trained in the basics of Yakshagana and the next six months they would practise with Himmela, as it was difficult to teach them “Hejjegarike” (steps) from the beginning.

Mr. Shivakumar, an exponent in both the forms, would train the students, Mr. Dhananjaya said.

When asked about the monthly fee, he said it would be Rs. 100 for Tenku Tittu and Rs. 200 for Badagu Tittu. The fee amount would be utilised to pay he honorarium to the trainer. “We are doing it as a social service not as a commercial venture. We are providing an opportunity to those who cannot go to Karavali Karntaka to learn the form,” Mr. Dhananjaya said.

He said that the response wad been encouraging. Over 30 persons had sought admission.

“Although a majority of them are from costal Karnataka, there are some born and brought up in Mysore,” he said.

“Mysoreans can expect a show from the trainees of Karavali Yakshagana Kalika Kendra in June next,” Mr. Dhananjaya added.

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