Senior artistes and performers have called for shortening the duration of Yakshagana episodes.
At an interaction on “Development of Tulu Yakshagana” organised by the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy here on Tuesday, they also expressed the need for financial support for the revival of Tulu Yakshagana.
The former Chairman of the Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy Kumble Sunder Rao, senior Yakshangana artistes Kolyur Ramachandra Rao and Nityananada Karanta Polali were among those who took part in the discussion.
Artiste Siddakatte Vishwanatha Shetty said that there was a great demand for Tulu Yakshagana. Plays such as “Koti Chennayya” attracted good audience. There were 16 “melas”.
“But we do not see any of them (melas) now.” There had been a sharp decline in the popularity of Tulu Yakshagana. Lack of patronage, literature and an overdose of comedy in the presentation had led to its decline, he added.
Mr. Ramachandra Rao said one of the reasons for lack of patronage for Tulu Yakshagana was dislike among audience to it.
“Mythological Kannada performance was much preferred to the one in Tulu.” Simple costumes and make up for Tulu Yakshanaga performance did not have the grandeur associated with the performance of popular Yakshagana groups associated with temples. Lack of uniformity in the way Tulu was being spoken also posed a challenge.
Mr. Sunder Rao said the fact that fewer people were attracted towards Yakshagana was matter of concern. “People do not have time to sit the whole night to watch the performance.” Yakshagana groups should shorten the duration and perform in three hours. “We need to do this to attract youngsters towards Yakshagana as they are weaning away from this complete art form,” he added.
Arthadhari Jabbar Samo said these three-hour Tulu Yakshagana shows should be held in every Tulu meet.
Earlier, academy Chairman Umanath Kotian felicitated playwright Devdas Kapikad and presented him Tulunad Barse Award. Yakshagana artiste K.T. Gujaran was also felicitated. Books “Belaginedege” and “Tulunaadina Aproorva Bhootagalu” written by Lakshmi G. Prasad were released.
