Yakshagana on Christ’s life, traditional groups unhappy

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 26, 2017: The troupe to all set to  stage a yakshagana performance based on the life of Jesus Christ has drawn flak from right wing activists on social media. The Yakshagana Prasanga "Maha Chethana - Yesu Christa Mahathme" was penned by veteran author and playwright Mulia Keshavaiah.

On various social media platforms including Facebook and WhatsApp, allegations are being made by some that the performance is a tactic to convert Hindus to Christiantiy. Many are also calling the Prasanga an insult to Tulu tradition. The performance, scheduled to be staged on May 27, Saturday in the city, has enthused lovers of Yakshagana among the Christian community.

But, Prabhakar Joshi, 75, a former Yakshagana artiste said, "The work has already seen more than 100 performances over the years. Those who speak ill about it, and are trying to attribute motives to it are not real art lovers." Joshi has, in fact, performed in a performance based on Mahachethana-Yesu Christa Mahathme. "Fundamentalists want to create tension, in order to convey a wrong message about art, which cuts across religion, country and race," he added.


K Chinappa Gowda, an expert on folklore and former vice-chancellor of the Karnataka Janapada University, who has researched Yakshagana and other art forms of Tulunadu, said art spoke of ’human religion’. "Why create an unnecessary issue over this Prasanga now? The art is not just related to any caste or religion such as Hindu, Christian or Muslim. It is for all. This Prasanga has been staged several times. Yakshagana has become a global art form," he added.


He pointed out that, if Yakshagana was identified with the Hindu religion, why would it be staged in Germany, Japan and other countries where other religions were practiced widely. For example, the Prasanga, Bappanadu Kshethra Mahathme, a Muslim role ’Bappa Byari’ is depicted. But nobody has ever questioned that so far, because Yakshagana is not about any religion," Gowda added.