Karnataka - Udupi   

‘Yakshagana needs enlightened audience'

‘Kanakangi Kalyana' being staged at the inauguration of the Yakshagana Saptaha organised by Sri Krishna Math and Chittani Abhimani Balaga in Udupi on Monday.

Udupi: The Yakshagana Saptaha (Yakshagana Week) organised by the Sri Krishna Math and the Chittani Abhimani Balaga began with the staging of the Yakshagana episode (“prasanga”) “Kanakangi Kalyana” at Rajangana here on Monday.

Yakshagana artiste Chittani Ramachandra Hegde donned the role of Ghatotkacha while his (Mr. Ramachandra's Hegde's ) son Subrahmanya Hegde and his grandson Kartikeya donned the roles of Balarama and Abhimanyu, respectively. The “Yakshagana Saptaha”, which will go on till October 31, will see Mr. Chittani Ramachandra Hegde donning different roles.

Earlier, inaugurating the “Yakshagana Saptaha”, Lakshmivara Tirtha Swamiji of Shiroor Math said that it was incumbent upon the people of the coastal districts to encourage mythological and pure form of Yakshagana. An enlightened audience was required to appreciate good Yakshagana performances. “We (The Math) want to encourage quality Yakshagana performances,” he said.

The episodes of Yakshagana were drawn from the Mahabharata, the Ramayana and Srimad Bhagwata. Rich costumes, rhythmic music, vibrant dance and powerful dialogues added to the beauty of Yakshagana and made it a delight to watch. Besides entertainment, it educated the people as they became aware of the epics.

He lauded Mr. Chittani Ramachandra Hegde for his contribution to the field of Yakshagana. “Chittani is a great inspiration for budding Yakshagana artistes,” the swamiji said.

Balaga's honorary president T.V. Rao, Udupi City Municipal Council Commissioner Gokuldas Nayak, Badagabettu Cooperative Bank general manager Jayakar Shetty Indralli, Yakshagana Kalaranga president Tallur Shivaram Shetty, General Insurance Employees Cooperative Credit Society president Gopikrishna Rao, Vachanananda Swamiji and businessman Krishnanda Shenoy were present.

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