The beating of ‘chende’ and ‘maddale’ with the high-pitch singing of ‘bhagawathas’ throughout the night came to an end as a majority of Yakshagana troupes ended their ‘tirugata’ of the 2014-15 season by performing overnight on Tuesday.
One of the notable features of this year’s ‘tirugata’ is the success of two Tulu performances, indicating that Tulu shows, which have been relegated, may come back in the coming years.
‘Banatta Bangar’ performed by Bappanadu Durgaparameshwari mela and ‘Bengda Mantravadi’ staged by Sunkadakatte mela of Bajpe saw more than 100 shows in the past six months.
Another notable feature is the inclusion of one more mela to the existing fleet of 35-plus melas. The second mela of Brahmi Durgaparameshwari Temple at Kamalashile, launched from this year, joined the fleet. It performed harake bayalatas (free shows hosted by devotees in fulfilment of vows).
The six touring troupes of Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple ended their journey by performing overnight on Tuesday. Bachakere Durgaparameshwari Yakshagana Mandali, Sarapady, Bantwal, Dakshina Kannada, a mela launched in 2013 exclusively to perform short-duration Tulu prasangas, also performed some shows.
Of about 35 touring troupes, the Perdoor mela and Saligrama mela are the only two surviving tent melas (which perform by erecting tents and collecting money from audience).
The other troupes perform bayalata (or events sponsored by individuals or a group of Yakshagana lovers). The shows performed by melas varied from a minimum of 145 to 180 in a season. The troupes were staging about 6,000 daily shows in the season.
Meanwhile, closing of the Town Hall in the city for eight months for repair, has come in the way of organising yakshagana shows during monsoon.
It will immediately affect Sri Krishna Yaksha Sabha, Kadri, which has been organising ‘Yaksha Sapthaha’ for the past 14 years in July.
Its general secretary Sudhakar Rao Pejawar said that now the sabha was searching for a suitable other venue for organising the shows.
No Yakshagana in Town Hall during monsoon this year as it is closed for repair
