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A folk form in English

English makes the art accessible to non-Kannadigas

EXPERIMENT Yakshanandana has set a new trend

Innovations in art usually face criticism. . The case was no different with Yakshanandana, a Yakshagana group started by P.V. Aithal that experimented with performing Yakshaganas with English dialogue. "Initially, the experiments were criticised," says P. Santosh Aithal, convener of the group. But now the group is celebrated as a pioneer of English Yakshagana. The idea of performing in English was to break the language barrier, to attract those who do not understand Kannada to Yakshagana performances, and to take the art form to places where Kannada is not understood.

For this purpose, P.V Aithal prepared several plots in English: Dakshadhwara, Girija Kalyana, Brahma Kapala, Srikrishna Parijatha, Narakasura Moksha and Sairandhiri Keechaka. All the traditional elements of the art were retained, and the songs continued to be in Kannada. Only the dialogues were in English. "It was not a mere translation, but a recreation to ensure that the dialogues don't jar," says Santosh Aithal. It was in 1981 that the group performed Yakshagana in English for the first time, Brahmakapala at Mangalore Town Hall.

The group has come a long way since then. There are nearly 20 members including women in Yakshanandana today. The group has given over a hundred performances of the said plots to packed audiences in several cities.

It is nine years since the founder P.V Aithal passed away, but his work is being continued by his family members and other members of the group.

This year marks the silver jubilee of the group. As part of the celebrations, Yakshanandana plans to give a series of performances. The works by P.V. Aithal will be staged. The incomplete work Akshayambara Vilasa will be completed and staged.

For details, call 2407204/ 9845207902.

SAVITHA SURESH BABU

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