The Yakshagana, a speciality of the Karnataka region was presented by Mummaneni Subba Rao Sidhardha Kalakshetram at Sidhardha Kalapeetham Hall recently. However, the performance that was organised by Maha Ganapathi Yakshagana Mandali of Dharmasthala drew a mixed response from the audience.
The large cast managed to impress somewhat with their striking traditional costumes and sprightly dance performance; but the story narrator-cum-lone singer was not at all up to the mark. His hoarse, cracking and loud voice literally drove away some of the people in the audience.
Another turn-off was the sight of the three musicians sitting centre stage cracking betel nuts, preparing paan and stuffing it in their mouths. This gesture in public, that too on the stage didn’t go down well with the members of the audience. It did not seem like a show fit for a refined audience.
The dance performers however, did their jobs extremely well. Some of the scenes, particularly the fierce fight between Devi and Mahishasura, the fiery dance of Mahishasura blowing fire from his mouth and the dance of the Devathas in swargaloka were strikingly impressive.
The cast included K. Sridhar Rao, A. Mohan, Prasada Bhatt, Balakrishna Maniyani, B. Ramesh Goud, S. Govinda Bhatt, K. Shambhaiah Bhatt, Padmanabha Shetti, Vasant Goud, Gangadhar, Ganesh Shetty, Balakrishna, Naveen and Kartik. At the end of the Yakshaganam, the Kala Peetham honoured the manager of the troup K. Govind Bhatt.
