A feast of dance and drama
C. SURESH KUMAR
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The performance had a good share of humour to sustain the attention and interest of the audience.
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Shri MahaGanapathi Yakshagana Mandali, Nidle, Dharmasthala, a troupe of professional artistes from well known `Melas' of Sri Dharmasthala and Sri Kateel in coastal Karnataka, organised a `Yakshagana Sapthaha' in the twin cities between September 21 and 27. The shows were jointly organised by Karnataka Karaavali Maithri Sangha and Kannada natya ranga, Hyderabad.
On the second day, the troupe presented `Shri Krishna Jananam-Kamsa Vadhe' at the Sundaraya Kala Nilayam, Hyderabad. The show had three stages of Lord Krishna — as an infant, a child and a teenager. It included the killing of Putana, Sakata and finally Kamsa.
The artistes excelled in their performance. The `digna' style of performing the dance brought continuous applause from the audience. In spite of their ages beyond 40, the ease at which some of the artistes showed their skills in dancing was laudable.
The performance had good share of humour to sustain the attention and interest of the audience. The extempore acting of Vidushaka Shri Mahesh Maniyani in different roles and his dancing abilities was worth watching. The make up and his costumes added to his fine presentation. The make up of the demons was extraordinary.As is practice in Yakshagana the artistes themselves did their make-up.
The male characters portraying the female roles also did well. The role of `Maya Putana,' brought down the tempo of the fast paced show at few places.
The young Krishna played by Shriharika was good, though her dialogues were not audible. Same was the case with `Maya Putana', on few occasions.
The scene depicting pranks of Krishna and his friend and their fight against the demons was another highlight of the show. The interaction of the artiste with the audience during the show was unique and creative.
Some of the artistes performed more than one role with ease.
Ammunje Mohan played Vasudeva and Pralamba, while Gangadhara as Devaki, Subbaraya holla as Putana, Ishwara Prasad as Maya Puthana, Sadashiva Kulal as Dhenuka and Balarama, Shiva Prasad Bhat as Sakata, Lakshmi Narayan Bhat played Akrura.
Nidle Govind Bhat played Kamsa. Shrikari S. Rao, Vasantha Gowda and Kumble Sridhara Rao played three Krishnas.
The singers, known as `Himmela' included Ramakrishna Mayya Siribaagilu as the Suthradhar, aptly supported by D. Subramanya Bhat on the Chende and Prabhakara Gore on the Mridanga. It was a feast of dance, drama and colourful costumes, make up and excellent performance, which will stay a long while in people's memory.
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