The revised version of the first yakshagana prasanga (episode) on Jesus Christ — Maha Chetana Yesukrista Mahatme — which had been criticised by some Hindutva groups that Yakshagana was being used to propagate Christianity was released at a function here on Saturday.
Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangaluru, who released the prasanga written by Muliya Keshavayya, said that fine arts have the capacity to unite people. Art forms, including Yakshagana, were beyond the boundaries of religion, caste and language.
Honey Cabral, secretary, Karnataka Christian Education Society, said that when the prasanga was first released in 1976 there was curiosity among people how the character of Satan would be showcased.
But when the first show was staged in Shanti Nilaya all appreciated it.
Anandarama Upadhya, a critic, said that the prasanga had all the ‘rasas’.
Yakshagana literature was yet to receive the recognition it deserved.
Raghu Muliya, son of Mr. Keshavayya, said that the new version has commentaries for 200 songs in the original script.
The script was translated into English and German during 1977-78.
