Mangaluru, Nov 11, 2014: Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of second ‘Yakshagana Talamaddale Sapthaha- 2014’ organised by Yakshagana Mangaluru in association with Dr Dayananda Pai and P Satish Pai Yakshagana Study Centre and Karnataka Yakshabharathi of Puttur, at Ravindra Kala Bhavana at University College, Mangalore University Dr Dayananda Pai and P Satish Pai Yakshagana Study Centre Director Prof Chinnappa Gowda stated that Yakshagana essentially requires no more popularity as the art form has already established its strengths. The art form was developed 500 years ago.
The originality of the art form needs to be maintained and protected. He said that short cut forms of Yakshagana, young viewers may come to a conclusion that Yakshagana has nothing more than this. The basic intention of organising programmes on Yakshagana is to make public watch good Prasangas. Nobody should misuse the popularity of the art. Meanwhile, he said that Yakshagana can get benefit from cultural exchange programme of Karnataka Yakshagana and Bayalata Academy. Junior artistes should get more opportunities to mingle with seniors and learn from them, he said.
On Artiste Sampaje Sheenappa Rai, Prof Gowda said that the achievement of Sheenappa Rai is mesmerising. He would have given around 10,000 shows. One need to study about such artistes while trying to understand the art form. Sampaje Sheenappa Rai was felicitated by Yakshagana Mangaluru Honorary President A J Shetty on the occasion. ‘Yakshara Chenna’, a book on Yakshagana artiste late Siddakatte Chennappa Shetty was released by entrepreneur Suresh Shetty Gurma.
Talamaddale to be held are Bhageeratha (Nov 11), Nala (Nov 12), Harishchandra (Nov 13), Shri Rama (Nov 14), Yudhistira- Yakshaprashne (Nov 15, 3pm to 4.30 pm) and Yudhistira- Pandava Swargarohana (6 pm- 9 pm). Around 50 artistes will participate in the event. Late Siddakatte Chennappa Shetty award will be conferred on Yakshagana artiste Polya Laxminarayana Shetty.