Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Mangalore
A form gets the feminine touch
|
Yakshagana is no longer a man's domain, with so many women entering the fray
|
Kavitha Sanil, Corporator, Mangalore City Corporation, performing Yakshagana at the Town Hall
PARTICIPATION OF women in Yakshagana performances was generally considered a taboo in Dakshina Kannada a few years ago. But after 1980s, the attitude of people started changing and some organisations encouraged women to take an active participation in Yakshagana performances. Due to the efforts by some women, troupes of women Yakshagana exponents took birth and started presenting short-duration Yakshagana performances. This year, Dakshina Kannada witnessed two occasions where some women Yakshagana troupes came together and staged different "pouranika prasangas" (episodes from the Puranas) under one platform.
Senior Yakshagana artistes do recall that women used to be a part of Yakshagana in the 1960s. But such women were only limited in number. The credit of setting up an all-woman Yakshagana troupe goes to late Akkaniyamma, a Kundapur-based woman in 1979. She later migrated to Bangalore and set up the Bangalore Mahila Yakshagana Kala Mitra Mandali. She was a widow who devoted all her time for Yakshagana, and also encouraged other women to take a plunge. Akkaniyamma went on till she was 70.
The entry of K. Leelavathi Baipadithhaya in 1979 as bhagavatar into Yakshagana, inspired many women to venture into Yakshagana field. She is probably the first woman `bhagavatar' of Dakshina Kannada. She also toured with commercial melas. Ms. Baipadithhaya also serves as a guest bhagavatar. Her presence emerged as a star value for the many touring troupes as they were able to attract many people for their shows. As per an estimate, there are over 30 women Yakshagana troupes in the State. Of which many are in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, and some in Bangalore since `tenku thittu' and `badagu thittu' forms of Yakshagana took birth in coastal belt. Sheela K. Shetty, Shailaja Hegde, Lolamma Pachhanadi, Mookambika Varamballi, and Ratna G. Bhat have been working to promote Yakshagana performances by women.
After all these years, Yakshagana has ceased to be a male domain. This traditional, semi-classical form is now wearing a new look with many women entering into the field as amateur artistes.
RAVIPRASAD KAMILA
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Mangalore
|
