Yakshagana artistes and their battle between the modern and traditional
From the coastal villages of Karnataka to worldwide borders, the standard dance-drama artwork kind Yakshagana, has traversed and advanced over the many years, with adjustments in its elaborate costumes, headgear, stage construction and even the themes of its performances. Primarily practiced in Udupi, Shivamogga and Chikkamagalurur in Karnataka, and Kasargod in Kerala, Yakshagana combines dance, music, and improvised speech for storytelling on stage.
Shridhar Hegde Keremane, a Yakshagana artiste of the Idagunji Mahaganapati Yakshagana Mandali troupe, says, “My nice grandfather, Shivarama Hegde, established our troupe in 1934 in Honavar. Since then, many adjustments have been included — for example, my nice grandfather launched time-limited reveals in observe.”
For the longest time, all Yakshagana performances can be carried out by males in open fields, lasting a complete evening from nightfall to daybreak. Now, there are reveals ranging anyplace from 5 minutes to 5 hours in airconditioned auditoriums at any time of the day, some even being carried out by girls artistes.
A Yakshagana efficiency
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Embracing new narratives
Nonetheless, one of many largest shifts in modern Yakshagana was when artistes determined to make use of narratives outdoors the context of The Ramayana and The Mahabaratha. Sharanya Ramprakash, a educated Yakshagana artiste and theatre maker says, “As an alternative of a mythological story, a Yakshagana efficiency may centre round Bahubali with components from modern life. Or even when they use tales from the epics, they’re contemporised.”
She believes that is a technique through which this artwork kind stays related at this time. “I imagine a kind that listens to the modern beat of at this time won’t die. With adjustments in society, Yakshagana performances are improvised by its speech and narratives.”
Shridhar begs to vary, saying this try and contemporise disrespects the standard artwork kind. “There are troupes which see this artwork kind as an business, they take a look at ticket gross sales somewhat than creativity or unique concepts.”
He provides, “Even when a efficiency is repeated on the identical place with the identical story and forged, individuals will nonetheless watch it. That’s as a result of despite the fact that the story is similar, the dance and speech might be improvised.”
Can custom and the modern coexist?
Priyanka Okay Mohan, a Yakshagana artiste and artwork curator with Suarita Arts Collective feels each conventional and modern types of Yakshagana must be practiced. She was launched to the artform by her father, Okay Mohan, founding father of Yaksha Degula, a Yakshagana faculty based in 1980 in Basavanagudi.
Yakshagana artiste Priyanka Okay. Mohan
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“Most of our work relies on conventional texts however 20% of our performances deliver innovation with out disrespecting the artwork kind. A few of our performances cope with modern points resembling dowry, HIV, the best to vote and to schooling.”
She provides, “On the finish of the day, all artwork types talk by tales. Initially, when individuals didn’t have entry to formal schooling, theatre was a instrument to unfold consciousness. If we don’t inform new tales now, you gained’t all the time be capable to join with extra individuals and ultimately, the artwork kind will die out.”
Priyanka says, individuals claiming to be Yakshagana artistes with out below going formal instruction, are being disrespectful to those that have spent years coaching.
Studying Yakshagana, Sridhar says, is like studying a brand new language. “It’s important to spend time to grasp its roots, tales and practices.”
A Yakshagana troupe coaching
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Troupes that pair movie songs with Yakshagana performances, Priyanka says, in unacceptable. “Neither is making a Yakshagana artiste, in his full apparel stroll between a bride and groom.”
Irrespective of how related modern tales are, Priyanka says, we nonetheless must carry out conventional texts as a result of knowledge and data is handed on by them. “Every of us promote this artwork kind by educating ourselves on what constitutes a real Yakshagana efficiency.”
Printed – July 04, 2025 08:33 pm IST
