Yakshagana in temples, mutts vital

Yakshagana in temples, mutts vital

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, May 8, 2015:  Speaking at the two day ’Yakshagana Bayalata Rangasambhrama’ organised by Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy, Bengaluru,  Academy President Nadoja Belegallu Veeranna said government should instruct all temples and mutts to facilitate experiment of Yakshagana shows at regular intervals.  He said there is an urgent need for measures to enable folk art to exist in the future.

The government and academy should jointly take actions to promote the art especially in temples and mutts, which would be a catalyst. He stated that though Yakshagana has acquired a wider acceptance among folk arts, measures need to be taken to promote the art on a larger scale.

He said Yakshagana at present exists only in a few districts, the academy should take measures to promote the art more widely. He said that other forms of Yakshagana too should be encouraged.  Asserting that funds released through academy should benefit the artists  The fest Rangasambhrama is organised to bring in all folk arts like ’Bombeyata’, ’Doddata’ and ’Sannata’ on a single platform. There are nearly 60-70 artists groups, he added.

Stating that the professional Yakshagana artist faces a poor livelihood, the veteran Yakshagana artist said measures should be taken to improve the livelihood of the artists who engage  in the art professionally, he added.

Speaking after inaugurating the festival, Alvas Education Foundation President Mohan Alva demanded classical art form status for Yakshagana.  He said till now State has no art identified as State art. Yakshagana should be declared as State art in the lines of Mohiniyattum, which is the State art of Kerala.

Lamenting that the people in State have failed to promote Yakshagana, Alva said the art has bequeathed nearly 800 years of legacy. Nearly 250 Yakshagana Melas existed and at present there are 40-50 Melas. There are probably 1500 professional artists with 100 amateur troupes.

At least 10000 shows of Yakshagana would be held every year. Nearly 2000 families are directly and indirectly dependent on Yakshagana. He stressed the need for documentation of all aspects of Yakshagana.