A week-long ‘talamaddale’ began at University College on Sunday with the Ravindra Kala Bhawan witnessing oration and debate on the mythological themes.
About 50 ‘mummela’ and 25 ‘himmela’ artistes are participating in the ‘saptaha’ organised by Yakshangana, Mangalore, in association with P. Dayananda Pai and P. Satish Pai Yakshagana Adhyayana Kendra, Mangalore University.
Speaking at the inauguration, K. Chinnappa Gowda, director of the Kendra, said all efforts of promoting Yakshagana and ‘talamaddale’ should enable people to see the two art forms in its totality.
Mr. Gowda said he felt that Yakshagana did not require any more popularity as the art form, believed to be 500 years old, had established its strength.
The former Registrar (Administration) at the university and now a professor of Kannada, Mr. Gowda said the ‘saptaha’ paved the way for exchange of many professional artistes who otherwise stuck to their touring troupes when the season of Yakshagana began.
He said it brought many senior artistes of different ‘melas’ under a platform for a healthy performance.
Sampaje Sheenappa Rai, a 72-year-old Yakshagana artiste of Hosanagara mela, who received this year’s Kannada Rajyotsava award, was felicitated on the occasion. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Rai said he was practising the art for 58 years now, having started his journey when he was 13 years old.
A book in memory of professional Yakshagana artiste late Siddakatte Chennappa Shetty was released. The episode chosen for Sunday’s performance was Rukmangada.
